Systems and methods for support of a 5g satellite radio access technology

ABSTRACT

Access, mobility management and regulatory services are supported for satellite access to a Fifth Generation (5G) core network. A coverage area, e.g., country, region, multiple countries, and international areas, are divided into fixed virtual cells having well defined geographic boundaries and fixed tracking areas. Information for the virtual cells and/or tracking areas and associated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) may be provided to a user equipment (UE). The UE may obtain its position, e.g., using a satellite positioning system, and determine the serving virtual cell or tracking area in which it is located. The UE may perform registration with a serving core network in a serving PLMN associated with the serving virtual cell or tracking area. Regulatory services, such as emergency (EM) calls, lawful interception (LI), wireless emergency alerts (WEA) may be provided based on the serving virtual cell or tracking area.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Ser. No.17/090,718, filed Nov. 5, 2020, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORSUPPORT OF A 5G SATELLITE RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY,” which claims under35 U.S.C. § 119 the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/932,486, filed Nov. 7, 2019, and entitled “SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR SUPPORT OF A 5G SATELLITE RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY,”which are assigned to the assignee hereof and are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

Various aspects described herein generally relate to wirelesscommunication systems, and more particularly, to accessing a wirelessnetwork using communication satellites.

Description of Related Technology

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (for example, time, frequency, and power). Examples ofsuch multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems suchas Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, orLTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may bereferred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employtechnologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discreteFourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system mayinclude a number of base stations or network access nodes, eachsimultaneously supporting communication for multiple communicationdevices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

Work is ongoing to combine satellite-based communication systems withterrestrial wireless communications systems, such as 5G NR networks. Insuch a system, a UE would access a satellite (instead of a terrestrialbase station), which would connect to a satellite earth station which inturn might connect to a base station which in turn would connect to a 5GCore Network (5GCN). A satellite-based communication system may includegateways and one or more satellites to relay communication signalsbetween the gateways and one or more UEs. A gateway is an earth stationhaving an antenna for transmitting signals to, and receiving signalsfrom, communication satellites. A gateway provides communication links,using satellites, for connecting a UE to other user terminals or usersof other communication systems, such as a public switched telephonenetwork, the Internet and various public and/or private networks. Asatellite is an orbiting receiver and repeater or regenerator used torelay information. The 5GCN could treat the satellite system as eitheranother type of Radio Access Network (RAN) or another Radio AccessTechnology (RAT), distinct from, but also similar to, e.g., a 5G NR RAN(NG-RAN), 5G NR RAT or WLAN (WiFi) based RAN.

In a wireless communications system, such as a 5G NR network, thatsupports satellite access, it may be required that the communicationssystem supports all regulatory requirements applicable to a terrestrialwireless communications system, such as supporting emergency (EM) calls,Lawful Interception (LI) and Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA).Currently, however, there is no overall solution to meet suchrequirements.

SUMMARY

Access, mobility management and regulatory services are supported forsatellite access to a Fifth Generation (5G) core network. A coveragearea, e.g., country, region, multiple countries, and internationalareas, are divided into fixed virtual cells having well definedgeographic boundaries and fixed tracking areas. Information for thevirtual cells and/or tracking areas and associated with one or morepublic land mobile networks (PLMNs) may be provided to a user equipment(UE). The UE may obtain its position, e.g., using a satellitepositioning system, and determine the serving virtual cell or trackingarea in which it is located. The UE may perform registration with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with the servingvirtual cell or tracking area. Regulatory services, such as emergency(EM) calls, lawful interception (LI), wireless emergency alerts (WEA)may be provided based on the serving virtual cell or tracking area.

In one implementation, a method for supporting satellite wireless accessby a user equipment (UE) performed by the UE, includes receivingbroadcast data from a first satellite, the broadcast data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both inwireless coverage of the first satellite and associated with one or morepublic land mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas;obtaining a position of the UE; determining a serving virtual cell orvirtual tracking area in which the UE is located based on the positionof the UE and the information for the virtual cells or the virtualtracking areas or both; obtaining a serving satellite Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) node (SRN) accessible from the first satellite; andperforming a registration with a serving core network in a serving PLMNassociated with the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located via the first satellite and the serving SRN.

In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured to supportsatellite wireless access, includes a satellite transceiver configuredto communicate with satellites; at least one memory; and at least oneprocessor coupled to the satellite transceiver and the at least onememory, the at least one processor configured to: receive broadcast datafrom a first satellite, the broadcast data containing information forvirtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage ofthe first satellite and associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; obtain a positionof the UE; determine a serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located based on the position of the UE and theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both;obtain a serving satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN)accessible from the first satellite; and perform a registration with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with the servingvirtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via thefirst satellite and the serving SRN.

In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured to supportsatellite wireless access, includes means for receiving broadcast datafrom a first satellite, the broadcast data containing information forvirtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage ofthe first satellite and associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; means for obtaininga position of the UE; means for determining a serving virtual cell orvirtual tracking area in which the UE is located based on the positionof the UE and the information for the virtual cells or the virtualtracking areas or both; means for obtaining a serving satellite RadioAccess Network (RAN) node (SRN) accessible from the first satellite; andmeans for performing a registration with a serving core network in aserving PLMN associated with the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located via the first satellite and theserving SRN.

In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium including programcode stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at leastone processor in a user equipment (UE) to support satellite wirelessaccess, includes program code to receive broadcast data from a firstsatellite, the broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsor virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage of the firstsatellite and associated with one or more public land mobile networks(PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothare defined as fixed geographic areas; program code to obtain a positionof the UE; program code to determine a serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located based on the position of the UEand the information for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areasor both; program code to obtain a serving satellite Radio Access Network(RAN) node (SRN) accessible from the first satellite; and program codeto perform a registration with a serving core network in a serving PLMNassociated with the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located via the first satellite and the serving SRN.

In one implementation, a method for supporting satellite wireless accessby a user equipment (UE) performed by a satellite Radio Access Network(RAN) node, includes obtaining first broadcast data, the first broadcastdata containing information for virtual cells or virtual tracking areasor both associated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs),wherein the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both aredefined as fixed geographic areas; obtaining second broadcast data, thesecond broadcast data containing information for a first satellite,wherein the first satellite is accessible from at least one groundstation for the satellite RAN node and from the UE; transmitting thefirst broadcast data and the second broadcast data to the UEperiodically via the first satellite; receiving a registration requestfrom the UE to a serving core network in a serving PLMN associated witha serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated via the first satellite; and providing the registration requestto a first entity in the serving core network.

In one implementation, a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) nodeconfigured to support satellite wireless access by a user equipment(UE), includes a satellite transceiver configured to communicate withsatellites; an external interface to communicate with entities in a corenetwork; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to thesatellite transceiver, the external interface, and the at least onememory, the at least one processor configured to obtain first broadcastdata, the first broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsor virtual tracking areas or both associated with one or more publicland mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtualtracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; obtainsecond broadcast data, the second broadcast data containing informationfor a first satellite, wherein the first satellite is accessible from atleast one ground station for the satellite RAN node and from the UE;transmit the first broadcast data and the second broadcast data to theUE periodically via the first satellite; receive a registration requestfrom the UE to a serving core network in a serving PLMN associated witha serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated via the first satellite; and provide the registration request toa first entity in the serving core network.

In one implementation, a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) nodeconfigured to support satellite wireless access by a user equipment(UE), includes means for obtaining first broadcast data, the firstbroadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; means for obtainingsecond broadcast data, the second broadcast data containing informationfor a first satellite, wherein the first satellite is accessible from atleast one ground station for the satellite RAN node and from the UE;means for transmitting the first broadcast data and the second broadcastdata to the UE periodically via the first satellite; means for receivinga registration request from the UE to a serving core network in aserving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or a virtualtracking area in which the UE is located via the first satellite; andmeans for providing the registration request to a first entity in theserving core network.

In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium including programcode stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at leastone processor in a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node to supportsatellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE), includes programcode to obtain first broadcast data, the first broadcast data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or bothassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinthe virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both are defined asfixed geographic areas; program code to obtain second broadcast data,the second broadcast data containing information for a first satellite,wherein the first satellite is accessible from at least one groundstation for the satellite RAN node and from the UE; program code totransmit the first broadcast data and the second broadcast data to theUE periodically via the first satellite; program code to receive aregistration request from the UE to a serving core network in a servingPLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking areain which the UE is located via the first satellite; and program code toprovide the registration request to a first entity in the serving corenetwork.

In one implementation, a method for supporting satellite wireless accessby a user equipment (UE) performed by a satellite that is in wirelesscommunication with a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN),includes receiving first broadcast data from the SRN, the firstbroadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; receiving secondbroadcast data from the SRN, the second broadcast data containinginformation for the satellite; transmitting the first broadcast data andthe second broadcast data to the UE periodically; receiving aregistration request from the UE to a serving core network in a servingPLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking areain which the UE is located; and providing the registration request tothe SRN to be sent to the serving core network.

In one implementation, a satellite that is in wireless communicationwith a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN) and configured tosupport satellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE), includes awireless transceiver configured to communicate with UEs and withsatellite RAN nodes; at least one memory; and at least one processorcoupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory, the atleast one processor configured to: receive first broadcast data from theSRN, the first broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsor virtual tracking areas or both associated with one or more publicland mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtualtracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; receivesecond broadcast data from the SRN, the second broadcast data containinginformation for the satellite; transmit the first broadcast data and thesecond broadcast data to the UE periodically; receive a registrationrequest from the UE to a serving core network in a serving PLMNassociated with a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located; and provide the registration request to the SRNto be sent to the serving core network.

In one implementation, a satellite that is in wireless communicationwith a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN) and configured tosupport satellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE), includesmeans for receiving first broadcast data from the SRN, the firstbroadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas; means for receivingsecond broadcast data from the SRN, the second broadcast data containinginformation for the satellite; means for transmitting the firstbroadcast data and the second broadcast data to the UE periodically;means for receiving a registration request from the UE to a serving corenetwork in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or avirtual tracking area in which the UE is located; and means forproviding the registration request to the SRN to be sent to the servingcore network.

In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium including programcode stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at leastone processor in a satellite that is in wireless communication with asatellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN) to support satellitewireless access by a user equipment (UE), includes program code toreceive first broadcast data from the SRN, the first broadcast datacontaining information for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas orboth associated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs),wherein the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both aredefined as fixed geographic areas; program code to receive secondbroadcast data from the SRN, the second broadcast data containinginformation for the satellite; program code to transmit the firstbroadcast data and the second broadcast data to the UE periodically;program code to receive a registration request from the UE to a servingcore network in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell ora virtual tracking area in which the UE is located; and program code toprovide the registration request to the SRN to be sent to the servingcore network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a communication system capable of supportingaccess, mobility management and regulatory services for satellite accessin 5G NR.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a communication network, which may include aportion of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the use of rectangular virtual cellsdefined by plurality of grid points over a geographic area that includesa number of countries and international waters.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the use of hexagonal virtual cellsdefined by plurality of grid points over a geographic area that includesa number of countries and international waters.

FIG. 5 shows a signaling flow that illustrates various messages sentbetween components of a communication system that supports access,mobility management and regulatory services for satellite access in 5GNR.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example procedure for supportingsatellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE) performed by the UE

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example procedure for supportingsatellite wireless access by UE performed by a satellite Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) node (SRN).

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example procedure for supportingsatellite wireless access by a UE performed by a satellite that is inwireless communication with an SRN.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a UE capable of supportingsatellite access in 5G NR.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a satellite Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) node (SRN) capable of supporting satellite access in 5GNR.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a satellite capable ofsupporting satellite access in 5G NR.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements,in accordance with certain example implementations. In addition,multiple instances of an element may be indicated by following a firstnumber for the element with a letter or a hyphen and a second number.For example, multiple instances of an element 115 may be indicated as115-1, 115-2, 115-3 etc. When referring to such an element using onlythe first number, any instance of the element is to be understood (e.g.element 115 in the previous example would refer to elements 115-1, 115-2and 115-3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A common means to determine the location of a mobile device is to use asatellite position system (SPS), such as the well-known GlobalPositioning Satellite (GPS) system or Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS), which employ a number of satellites that are in orbit around theEarth. Position measurements using SPS are based on measurements ofpropagation delay times of SPS signals broadcast from a number oforbiting satellites to an SPS receiver. Once the SPS receiver hasmeasured the signal propagation delays for each satellite, the range toeach satellite can be determined and precise navigation informationincluding 3-dimensional position, velocity and time of day of the SPSreceiver can then be determined using the measured ranges and the knownlocations of the satellites.

Satellites may also be used in communication systems, for example, usinggateways and one or more satellites to relay communication signalsbetween the gateways and one or more user terminals. There is ongoingwork in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to add supportfor one or more new Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for 5G networksbased on satellite access. A UE, for example, may access a satellite(instead of a terrestrial base station) and connect to a satellite earthstation, which in turn would connect to a 5G Core Network (SGCN), eitherdirectly or via a terrestrial base station. The SGCN could treat thesatellite system as either another type of Radio Access Network (RAN)distinct from, but also similar to, a 5G NR RAN (NG-RAN) or WLAN (WiFi)based RAN, or as another RAT, distinct from but also similar to a 5G NRterrestrial RAT.

A satellite RAN or RAT operating with a 5GCN should be able to supportall regulatory services required for a wireless network. For example, asatellite RAN or RAT should be able to support emergency (EM) calls to apublic safety answering point (PSAP) that is local to a calling UE, aswell as support Lawful Interception (LI) and Wireless Emergency Alerting(WEA). A satellite RAN or RAT should further enable wireless coverageacross multiple countries with the restriction that a UE normallyconnects to a 5GCN located in the country in which the UE is present,e.g., if the UE is located in country A, the UE should be connected to a5GCN in country A. Further, the satellite RAN or RAT should enablesupport for EM calls, LI and WEA according to the requirements of thecountry in which the UE is present. It would be further advantageous ifimpacts to a 5GCN to support a satellite RAN or RAT are minimal.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a communication system 100 capable ofsupporting access, mobility management and regulatory services forsatellite access using 5G New Radio (NR) or some other wireless accesstype such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). The communicationsystem 100 is illustrated as including a number of UEs 105, a number ofcommunication satellites, also referred to as space vehicles (SVs),115-1 to 115-7 (collectively referred to herein as SVs 115) in a RadioAccess Network (RAN) 110. The RAN 110, for example, may be a NextGeneration (NG) Radio Access Network (RAN) (NG-RAN) 110 or a separatesatellite RAN (SRAN). Herein, RAN 110 is assumed to be an NG-RAN unlessstated otherwise. The NG-RAN 110 may include a number of Satellite NodeBs (sNB) 112-1 to 112-5 (collectively referred to herein as sNBs 112),each of which may include one or more satellite ground stations 113(also referred to as ground stations), which may act as DistributedUnits (DU) using an sNB central unit (sNB-CU) 111. An sNB 112 may bereferred to by other names such as a “satellite node”, “satellite accessnode” (SRN), or NR Node B (gNB). The NG-RAN 110 may further includeterrestrial base stations, such as NR Node Bs, also referred to as gNBs(not shown in FIG. 1 ). The sNBs 112 are not the same as gNBs althoughsome functions may be common and a gNB may be enhanced to act as an sNB112. For example, the sNBs 112 may provide an N2 interface to one ormore Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a 5G core network.The N2 interface may be the same as that supported between NG-RAN 110and a 5G core network for terrestrial NR access by a UE 105 and may usethe Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) defined in 3GPPTechnical Specification (TS) 38.413 between an sNB 112 and an AMF in a5G core network. The sNBs 112 may function as gateways and use groundstations 113 for transmitting signals to, and receiving signals from,one or more SVs 115 and may be referred to herein as satellite RANnodes.

The sNBs 112 provide an N2 interface to one or more core networks inpublic land mobile networks (PLMN) that may be located in differentcountries. For example, sNBs 112-1 and 112-2 may provide an interfacewith a Fifth Generation (5G) core network (SGCN) in PLMN 1 117-1 in aCountry 1, sNBs 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 may provide an interface with aSGCN in PLMN 2 117-2 in a Country 2, and sNBs 112-3, 112-4, and 112-5may provide an interface with a SGCN in PLMN 3 117-3 in a Country 3. Insome implementations, countries may include one or more core networksand one or more PLMNs.

Satellite ground stations 113 may be referred to as earth stations or asnon-terrestrial network (NTN) gateways. In some implementations, aground station 113 may be separate from (and not included within) an sNB112 and may instead connect to one or more sNBs 112. Similarly, in someimplementations, an sNB 112 may not include any ground stations 113 andmay instead connect to one or more ground stations 113 (e.g. usingbackhaul links). In such a case, an sNB 112 may correspond to a gNB thatsupports terrestrial NR access with extra enhancements to supportsatellite NR access and may then be referred to as a gNB or as anenhanced gNB.

The communication system 100 may further utilize information frompositioning space vehicles 190 for a Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo or Beidou or some other local orregional Satellite Positioning System (SPS) such as IRNSS, EGNOS orWAAS. It should be understood that positioning space vehicles 190 maynot be part of the NG-RAN 110. The communication system 100 may includeadditional or alternative components.

It should be noted that FIG. 1 provides only a generalized illustrationof various components, any or all of which may be utilized asappropriate, and each of which may be duplicated or omitted asnecessary. Specifically, it will be understood that many UEs 105 (e.g.,hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the communicationsystem 100. Similarly, the communication system 100 may include a larger(or smaller) number of SVs 115, SVs 190, sNBs 112, PLMNs 117, and/orother components. The illustrated connections that connect the variouscomponents in the communication system 100 include data and signalingconnections which may include additional (intermediary) components,direct or indirect physical and/or wireless connections, and/oradditional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged,combined, separated, substituted, and/or omitted, depending on desiredfunctionality.

The UE 105 may support position determination, e.g., using communicationsystem 100 using information from space vehicles 190 in a satellitepositioning system (SPS), such as GPS, GNSS, GLONASS, Galileo or Beidouor some other local or regional Satellite Positioning System (SPS) suchas IRNSS, EGNOS or WAAS. Position measurements using SPS are based onmeasurements of propagation delay times of SPS signals broadcast from anumber of orbiting satellites to a SPS receiver in the UE 105. Once theSPS receiver has measured the signal propagation delays for eachsatellite, the range to each satellite can be determined and precisenavigation information including 3-dimensional position, velocity andtime of day of the SPS receiver can then be determined using themeasured ranges and the known locations of the satellites. Informationfrom SVs 115 in NG-RAN may also be used to support positioning. The UE105 may further support positioning using terrestrial positioningprocedures, such as Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), Round Trip signalpropagation Time (RTT), multi-cell RTT, angle of arrival (AOA), angle ofdeparture (AOD), downlink (DL) time difference of arrival (TDOA)(DL-TDOA), uplink (UL) TDOA (UL-TDOA), receive time-transmit timedifference (Rx-Tx) and/or other positioning procedures.

The UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entitiessuch as in a personal area network where a user may employ audio, videoand/or data I/O devices and/or body sensors and a separate wireline orwireless modem. An estimate of a location of the UE 105 may be referredto as a location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position,position estimate or position fix, and may be geographic, thus providinglocation coordinates for the UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude) whichmay or may not include an altitude component (e.g., height above sealevel, height above or depth below ground level, floor level or basementlevel). Alternatively, a location of the UE 105 may be expressed as acivic location (e.g., as a postal address or the designation of somepoint or small area in a building such as a particular room or floor). Alocation of the UE 105 may also be expressed as an area or volume(defined either geographically or in civic form) within which the UE 105is expected to be located with some probability or confidence level(e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.)

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a communication network 200, which may includea portion of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Here, thecommunication network 200 comprises the UE 105, the NG-RAN 110 with SVs115-1 and 115-2, sNB 112-1, 112,-2, 112-3, and a gNB 210, and componentsof a 5G Core Network (5GCN) 240, which may be a 5GCN for any of thePLMNs 117 shown in FIG. 1 . A 5G network may also be referred to as aNew Radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 110 may be referred to as a 5G RAN or asan NR RAN; and 5GCN 240 may be referred to as an NG Core network (NGCN).The communication network 200 may further utilize information frompositioning space vehicles shown in FIG. 1 . Additional components ofthe communication network 200 are described below. The communicationnetwork 200 may include additional or alternative components.

It should be noted that FIG. 2 provides only a generalized illustrationof various components, any or all of which may be utilized asappropriate, and each of which may be duplicated or omitted asnecessary. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, itwill be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions,etc.) may utilize the communication network 200. Similarly, thecommunication network 200 may include a larger (or smaller) number ofSVs 115, gNB s 210, sNBs 112, AMFs 215, external clients 230, and/orother components. The illustrated connections that connect the variouscomponents in the communication network 200 include data and signalingconnections which may include additional (intermediary) components,direct or indirect physical and/or wireless connections, and/oradditional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged,combined, separated, substituted, and/or omitted, depending on desiredfunctionality.

While FIG. 2 illustrates a 5G-based network, similar networkimplementations and configurations may be used for other communicationtechnologies, such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), future 6G, etc.Implementations described herein (be they for 5G technology or for othercommunication technologies and protocols) may be used to support access,mobility management and regulatory services for satellite access in aterrestrial wireless communication network.

The UE 105 may comprise and/or be referred to as a device, a mobiledevice, a wireless device, a mobile terminal, a terminal, a mobilestation (MS), a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Enabled Terminal(SET), or by some other name. Moreover, UE 105 may correspond to acellphone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, tracking device, navigationdevice, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or some other portable ormoveable device. Typically, though not necessarily, the UE 105 maysupport wireless communication using one or more RATs such as usingGlobal System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD),IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also referred to as Wi-Fi), Bluetooth® (BT), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g.,using the NG-RAN 110 and SGCN 240), etc. The UE 105 may also supportwireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) whichmay connect to other networks (e.g. the Internet) using a DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) or packet cable for example. The UE 105 furthersupports wireless communications using space vehicles, such as SVs 115.The use of one or more of these RATs may allow the UE 105 to communicatewith an external client 230 (via elements of SGCN 240 such as UPF 228,or possibly via a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225) and/orallow the external client 230 to receive location information regardingthe UE 105 (e.g., via the GMLC 225).

Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wirelesscommunication between the UE 105 and one or more of the SVs 115 in theNG-RAN 110, which may provide wireless communications access to the SGCN240 via sNBs 112 on behalf of the UE 105 using 5G NR as defined by theThird Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 5G NR radio access may alsobe referred to as NR radio access or as 5G radio access. As illustrated,pairs of sNBs 112 in NG-RAN 110 may be connected to one another—e.g.directly as illustrated or indirectly via other sNBs 112.

Base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 110 shown in FIG. 2 comprise NRNodeBs, also referred to as gNBs, 210. The NG-RAN 110 may includeadditional gNBs. Pairs of gNBs 210 in NG-RAN 110 may be connected to oneanother—e.g. directly or indirectly via other gNBs 210. In someimplementations, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , one or more sNBs 112 may beconnected to one or more gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 110. Pairs of sNBs 112in NG-RAN 110 may be connected to one another—e.g. directly orindirectly via other sNBs 112. Access to the 5G network may be providedvia wireless communication with one or more of the gNBs 210, which mayprovide terrestrial wireless communications access to the 5GCN 240 using5G NR. Base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 110 shown in FIG. 2 may also orinstead include a next generation evolved Node B, also referred to as anng-eNB (not shown). An ng-eNB may be connected to one or more gNBs 210and/or one or more sNBs 112 in NG-RAN 110—e.g. directly or indirectlyvia other gNBs 210, sNBs 112 and/or other ng-eNBs. An ng-eNB may provideterrestrial LTE wireless access and/or evolved LTE (eLTE) wirelessaccess to UEs, as defined by 3GPP.

In some implementations, sNB 112, gNB 210 and/or ng-eNBs may supportlocation of a UE. Some sNBs 112, gNBs 210 and/or ng-eNB in FIG. 2 may beconfigured to function as positioning-only beacons, which may transmitsignals (e.g. PRS signals) and/or may broadcast assistance data toassist positioning of UEs 105 but may not receive signals from UEs 105.

In some implementations, SVs 115 may access 5GCN 240 through sNB 112 tosupport access, mobility management and regulatory services for UE 105.In some implementations, SVs 115 may support location of a UE 105—e.g.by requesting a location estimate from UE 105 acquired using an SPS, orto request location measurements, e.g., positioning measurements of PRStransmissions, from UE 105 and determining a location estimate for UE105 using the PRS location measurements and other known information suchas the locations of the antennas which transmit the measured PRS.

While FIG. 2 depicts nodes configured to communicate according to 5G NRand LTE communication protocols for an NG-RAN 110, nodes configured tocommunicate according to other communication protocols may be used, suchas, for example, an LTE protocol for an Evolved Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) or an IEEE 802.11x protocol for a WLAN. For example, in a 4GEvolved Packet System (EPS) providing LTE wireless access to UEs, a RANmay comprise an E-UTRAN, which may comprise base stations comprisingevolved Node Bs (eNBs) supporting LTE wireless access. A core networkfor EPS may comprise an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). An EPS may thencomprise an E-UTRAN plus EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN110 and the EPC corresponds to 5GCN 240 in FIG. 2 . The methods andtechniques described herein for supporting a satellite RAN operatingwith terrestrial wireless communication network for UE 105 positioningmay be applicable to such other networks.

As illustrated, NG-RAN 110, e.g., sNB 112-1, may connect to an Accessand Mobility Management Function (AMF) 215 in the 5GCN 240. The SVs 115and sNB 112 can communicate with AMF 215, which, for positioningfunctionality, may communicate with a Location Management Function (LMF)220 and/or a Location Management Component (LMC) in NG-RAN 110 (notshown in FIG. 2 ). The AMF 215 may support mobility of the UE 105,including terrestrial cell change, satellite cell change and handoverand may participate in supporting a signaling connection to the UE 105and possibly data and voice bearers for the UE 105. The LMF 220 or LMCmay support positioning of the UE 105 when UE accesses the NG-RAN 110and may support position procedures/methods such as Assisted GNSS(A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), Real TimeKinematic (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS(DGNSS), ECID, RTT, multi-cell RTT, AOA, AOD, DL-TDOA, UL-TDOA, Rx-Txand/or other positioning procedures. The LMF 220 or LMC may also processlocation services requests for the UE 105, e.g., received from the AMF215 or from the GMLC 225. The LMF 220 or LMC may be connected to AMF 215and/or to GMLC 225. It is noted that in some embodiments, at least partof the positioning functionality (including derivation of a UE 105'slocation) may be performed at the UE 105 (e.g., using signalmeasurements obtained by UE 105 for signals transmitted by positioningspace vehicles 190, shown in FIG. 1 , as well as SVs 115, wireless nodessuch as gNBs 210 and ng-eNB, and assistance data provided to the UE 105,e.g. by LMF 220).

The Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225 may support a locationrequest for the UE 105 received from an external client 230 and mayforward such a location request to the AMF 215 for forwarding by the AMF215 to the LMF 220. A location response from the LMF 220 (e.g.containing a location estimate for the UE 105) may be similarly returnedto the GMLC 225 either directly or via the AMF 215, and the GMLC 225 maythen return the location response (e.g., containing the locationestimate) to the external client 230.

A User Plane Function (UPF) 228 may support voice and data bearers forUE 105 and may enable UE 105 voice and data access to other networkssuch as the Internet 275. UPF 228 functions may include: externalProtocol Data Unit (PDU) session point of interconnect to a DataNetwork, packet (e.g. Internet Protocol (IP)) routing and forwarding,packet inspection and user plane part of policy rule enforcement,Quality of Service (QoS) handling for user plane, downlink packetbuffering and downlink data notification triggering. UPF 228 may beconnected to gNBs 210, sNBs 112 and possibly to a Secure User PlaneLocation (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) 229 to enable support oflocation of UE 105 using the SUPL location solution defined by the OpenMobile Alliance (OMA). SLP 229 may be further connected to or accessiblefrom external client 230.

As illustrated, a Session Management Function (SMF) 226 connects to theAMF 215 and the UPF 228. The SMF 226 may have the capability to controlboth a local and a central UPF within a PDU session. SMF 226 may managethe establishment, modification and release of PDU sessions for UE 105,perform IP address allocation and management for UE 105, act as aDynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server for UE 105, and selectand control a UPF 228 on behalf of UE 105.

The external client 230 may be connected to the core network 240 via theGMLC 225, the SLP 229 and/or the UPF 228. The external client 230 mayoptionally be connected to a location server 220A, which may be, e.g.,an SLP, that is external to SGCN 240, via the Internet 275. The externalclient 230 may be a server, a web server, or a user device, such as apersonal computer, a UE, etc.

As noted, while the communication network 200 is described in relationto 5G technology, the communication network 200 may be implemented tosupport other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE,future 6G, etc., that are used for supporting and interacting withmobile devices such as the UE 105 (e.g., to implement voice, data,positioning, and other functionalities).

The SGCN 240 may treat the NG-RAN 110 as another type of RAN distinctfrom, but also similar to, a 3GPP NG-RAN for terrestrial NR wirelessaccess or as a WLAN (WiFi) based RAN. The SGCN 240 may instead treat theNG-RAN 110 the same as, or almost the same as, a 3GPP NG-RAN forterrestrial NR wireless access and may then treat sNBs 112 as providinga new RAT associated with satellite 5G NR access. It is desirable,however, that the NG-RAN 110 is able to support all regulatory servicesincluding emergency (EM) calls to a PSAP local to and in the samecountry as the UE 105, Lawful Interception (LI) in the same country asthe UE and Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) by the country in which UE105 is located. Additionally, the NG-RAN 110 may need to enablesatellite wireless coverage across multiple countries with therestriction that a UE 105 in a country is normally connected to a 5GCNin the same country as the UE 105 and receives support for EM calls, LIand WEA according to the requirements for that country.

In one implementation to support use of NG-RAN 110 with a core network,such as 5GCN 240, a set of “virtual cells” (also referred to as “logicalcells”, “earth fixed cells” or “fixed cells”) and Tracking Areas (TAs),which are fixed and may be virtual or based on existing terrestrialtracking areas, across the coverage area of a satellite network may beused. Unlike a radio cell (e.g. a radio cell supported by a terrestrialbase station such as gNB 210), a virtual cell may not be associated witha terrestrial base station (or a specific SV 115) or with the radiocoverage of a terrestrial base station (or SV 115). A virtual cell isinstead a fixed geographic area that is defined artificially, e.g., by anetwork operator. A virtual cell may have a defined geometric shape,such as a square, circle or a polygon, e.g., a hexagon, with a definedsize, e.g., with a size ranging from a few meters to a few kilometers inany direction. Similarly, a TA may be virtual and may comprise a set ofcontiguous virtual cells, in a similar manner that a TA for terrestrialwireless access comprises a set of contiguous radio cells (e.g.,associated with a terrestrial base station), or the TA may be anexisting terrestrial based TA for terrestrial NR access through gNBs210. Virtual cells and virtual TAs within the same country may all beassigned to a PLMN that is specific to the country. Virtual trackingareas may also be referred to as fixed tracking areas, earth fixedtracking areas or just as tracking areas.

Virtual cells and virtual TAs may be defined using a set of grid points,where each grid point is associated with one cell. Each grid point maybe specified, e.g., by latitude and longitude. As an example, with theshape and size of each cell defined, each grid point could be defined tolie at the center (or center of gravity) of an associated virtual cell.To avoid explicitly defining the size and shape of each virtual cell,the areas of the virtual cells associated with the set of grid pointsmay be defined by a simple test: any location L is within a virtual cellassociated with a grid point G if L is closer to G than to any othergrid point. Data defining the grid points (and virtual cell shapes andsizes if defined explicitly) and the associated virtual TAs andassociated PLMNs may then be periodically broadcast by the satellitesystem, e.g., SVs 115. A UE 105 may periodically obtain its ownlocation, e.g. using an SPS, which may be accurate and easy to obtain inthe types of outdoor environment in which a satellite network, e.g.,NG-RAN 110, could be used, and then determine which virtual cell it islocated in, e.g., by reference to the broadcast grid points and othervirtual cell and virtual TA data. The UE 105 may also determine thevirtual TA and PLMN associated with the virtual cell in which the UE 105is located. Support of mobility by the UE 105 may then proceed similarlyto that for access to a terrestrial cellular network. For example, theUE 105 may perform a Registration with serving SGCN 240 whenever itsvirtual TA has changed and would register in a different SGCN whenever avirtual TA and country change had occurred. From a SGCN perspective, themobility support may be identical or almost identical to that for aterrestrial cellular (NR or LTE) RAN or RAT, thereby reducing SGCNimpacts, because the SGCN may treat the UE 105 as having a serving celland serving TA, which are fundamental to SGCN mobility procedures.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating the use of virtual cells defined bya plurality of grid points over a geographic area that includes a numberof countries and an international area (e.g. international waters or apolar region). As illustrated in FIG. 3 , grid points 310 may be definedin rows and columns. The grid points 310 may be specified, e.g., bylatitude and longitude, where each grid point 310 defines a virtual cell312. The size and shape of the virtual cells 312 may be defined, e.g.,based on the orientation and distance between the grid points 310. Forexample, each grid point may be defined to lie in the center of anassociated virtual cell. The area of a virtual cell associated with agrid point G may be defined simply as including any location L that iscloser to grid point G than any other grid point. As illustrated, theresulting virtual cells 312 in FIG. 3 may be rectangular or square.

FIG. 3 illustrates tracking areas 320 (TA1, TA2, and TA3), which may bevirtual and defined as a set of contiguous virtual cells, or may bebased on existing terrestrial tracking areas. TAs may be included in thedata that is periodically broadcast by one or more SVs 115. For example,a set of grid points that define a set of contiguous virtual cellsassociated with a TA may be explicitly included in the data.Additionally, the PLMNs that are associated with the virtual cells maybe included in the data that is periodically broadcast by one or moreSVs 115. Moreover, the virtual cells may be associated with differentcountries, e.g., Country 1, Country 2, or Country 3, which may beincluded in the data that is periodically by broadcast one or more SVs115. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates the coverage area 350 of asatellite 115, which includes tracking areas TA1 and TA2, and only asmall portion of tracking area TA3. Data provided for the satellite 115(e.g. data broadcast by the satellite 115 to a UE 105 in a SystemInformation Block (SIB)) may include and/or indicate tracking areas TA1and TA2, but may exclude and/or not indicate tracking area TA3 becausemost tracking area TA3 is not present in the coverage area 350.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400, similar to the diagram 300 shown in FIG. 3 ,that illustrates the use of virtual cells defined by plurality of gridpoints over a geographic area that includes a number of countries andinternational waters. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , grid points 410 may bedefined in rows and columns, with the grid points 410 in each row offsetrelative to a previous row by half of the distance between columns. Thegrid points 410 may be defined to lie in the center of an associatedvirtual cell 412, wherein the size and shape of the virtual cells 412may be defined, e.g., based on the orientation and distance between thegrid points 410. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the resulting virtual cells412 from the array of grid points 410 are hexagonal.

The grid points 410 and virtual cells 412 may be specified andcompressed as described in reference to FIG. 3 . For example, the gridpoints 410 may be specified, e.g., by latitude and longitude. Datadefining a set of grid points 410, which may be periodically broadcastby one or more SVs 115 using one or more SIBs, may be compressed, e.g.,by including only a grid point spacing distance (or distances), a gridorientation, the number of grid points in each of two directions, and areference grid point location. An implicit set of identifiers may beprovided for the set of grid points, e.g., based on the grid pointordering. For example, the implicit identifiers may be based on areference grid point and known or broadcast offset values. In anotherimplementation, e.g., where the grid points 410 in a set of grid pointsare explicitly listed in the broadcast data, identifiers for the set ofgrid points may be listed separately but in the same order as theassociated grid points or listed paired with associated grid points.

Additional information, such as a virtual TA, e.g., which may be definedas a set of contiguous virtual cells, or an existing terrestrial TA maybe included in the data that is periodically broadcast by one or moreSVs 115. Additionally, the PLMNs that are associated with the virtualcells may be included in the data that is periodically broadcast by oneor more SVs 115. Moreover, the virtual cells may be associated withdifferent countries, e.g., Country 1, Country 2, or Country 3, which maybe included in the data that is periodically broadcast one or more SVs115.

In some implementations, a virtual TA may be defined using a set of gridpoints, where each grid point defines one virtual TA which may includeall locations that are closer to the grid point than to any other gridpoint. This type of virtual TA may be defined and supported as describedabove and below for virtual cells with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , withthe difference that groups of virtual TAs are not included in other TAs(as described above for virtual cells) and that a virtual TA may includevirtual cells that may be defined using a different set of grid points(e.g. with a smaller inter-grid point spacing) than the set of gridpoints used to define the virtual TA.

Data defining grid points, as well as virtual cell (and virtual TA)shapes and sizes if defined explicitly, and the associated virtualcells, virtual TAs and PLMNs may be periodically broadcast by the SVs115. A UE 105 may determine which virtual cell (or which virtual TA) itis located in by obtaining its position, e.g., using SPS, anddetermining the closest grid point. The UE 105 may perform aRegistration with the PLMN associated with the virtual cell (or virtualTA) in which the UE 105 is located. The UE 105 may periodically updateits location and register with a different PLMN when required by achange in the virtual cell, virtual tracking area, or country.

The UE 105 may support Emergency (EM) calls, Lawful Interception (LI)and Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) using the virtual cells andvirtual TAs. For an EM call, the UE 105 may include the identifier forthe serving virtual cell, e.g., the virtual cell in which the UE 105 islocated, in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE request, in asimilar manner as including a terrestrial cell ID when connected to aterrestrial base station. The serving virtual cell ID can be used by theserving SGCN 240 to route the EM call to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell in the same way as foran EM call from a UE in a terrestrial radio cell. To ensure correct PSAProuting, virtual cells may be defined so that most or all of any virtualcell area is within the serving area of just one PSAP.

For LI, the 5GCN 240 can include a virtual cell ID as part of LI datacollected for the UE 105, in a similar manner as including a terrestrialradio cell ID in the case of cellular NR or LTE coverage, and/or canreport LI data for the UE 105 whenever the UE 105 moves into a newvirtual cell and/or new virtual TA.

For WEA, the 5GCN 240 may assign WEA messages to one or more virtualcells, in a similar manner as assigning WEA messages to one or moreterrestrial radio cells, and the SVs 115 of the NG-RAN 110 may broadcastthe WEA messages and include in each WEA message the IDs of applicablevirtual cells. Alternatively, the SVs 115 of the NG-RAN 110 maybroadcast a list of applicable WEA message IDs for each virtual cell ID(and broadcast the WEA messages and their associated WEA message IDsseparately). Either way, when moving into a new virtual cell, the UE 105may verify if the new virtual cell is associated with any WEA messagesthat need to be provided to the user of UE 105.

System Information Blocks (SIBs) may be defined and broadcast for thedifferent virtual cells, for example, a SIB may indicate or contain WEAmessages. Additionally, SIBs may be common to many virtual cells andonly be broadcast once for all virtual cells.

In case of proximity to a country border, the UE 105 may need todetermine in which country it is located in order to select a virtualcell and/or virtual TA belonging to the appropriate country. Forexample, the UE 105 might be nearest to a grid point in a differentcountry but should still select a virtual cell associated with a gridpoint in its own country even if the grid point is farther away. Toenable this, the UE 105 may select a virtual cell by first determiningthe country in which the UE 105 is located and then select a virtualcell associated with the closed grid point in the same country. Countrydetermination may be possible by the UE 105 based on a UE location ifextra data is broadcast by an SV 115 (or provided in some other way toUE 105 such as from an Internet server or by a home PLMN for the UE 105)to define a border region (e.g. a sequence of straight line segments),such as borders 330 or 430 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . If grid points aredefined such that the closest grid point to any location is always inthe same country as that location (e.g., by aligning a border betweencountries with a border between pairs of virtual cells), then the UEwould not need to separately determine the country in which it islocated. For example, additional grid points may be added on one or bothsides of a border to ensure that the closest grid point to a UE 105 isin the same country as the UE 105. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, where a border is a straight line, grid points may be defined in pairsalong the straight line border 330, where each pair of grid pointscomprises a point P on one side of the border and an additional point Qadded on the other side, where the line PQ is perpendicular to the(straight line) border 330 with P and Q equidistant from the border. Inthis example, grid points Q 340 are added and may be used to determine acountry of UE 105 and a virtual cell. In another example shown in FIG. 4. pairs of grid points 440 may be added along both sides of a borderthat are equidistant from the border. In these examples, the additionalgrid points 340 and 440 may be defined such that the closest grid pointto any location is in the same country as that location. The UE 105 maythen determine the closest grid point (e.g. 340 or 440) to determine inwhich country it is located.

The data needed to define grid points (and additional grid points),virtual cells, virtual TAs, PLMNs, and country IDs if included, may bebroadcast once for all virtual cells by SVs 115. The data needed todefine grid points (and additional grid points), virtual cells, TAs,PLMN (and country) IDs may be compressed in different ways. Thecompression may avoid excessive data broadcast and reduce latency indata acquisition. In one implementation, for example, a rectangulararray of grid points, e.g., grid points 310 shown in FIG. 3 , can bedefined by including only the grid point spacing distance(s), gridorientation, the number of grid points in each of two directions, andone reference grid point location, e.g., provided in latitude andlongitude. Grid points may have an implicit set of grid pointidentifiers (IDs) according to some implicit grid point ordering, e.g.,ordering via rows and then columns. Virtual cell IDs for grid points maybe listed and broadcast in the same order as their associated gridpoints and/or may be defined and broadcast as pairs of grid point ID andvirtual cell ID. Virtual cell IDs may change in predictable ways and,thus, may not need to be explicitly provided via broadcast. For example,a virtual cell ID might be a function of a known base ID plus someoffset value derived from a grid point ID, e.g., the grid point IDitself. Virtual TAs might be defined, e.g., using bit maps that indicatevirtual cell IDs that are contained within the virtual TA.

Additionally, virtual cells may be used to support areas that are not inany country. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the virtualcells 310/410 of Country 1 (and/or of Country 2 in FIG. 3 ) may extendto the international waters 360/460. Thus, virtual cells ininternational waters may be used by UE 105 if the UE 105 is over or oninternational waters in a plane or ship. For this, virtual cells andvirtual TAs may be defined over international areas as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 . Which PLMN would act as a serving PLMN when a UE 105 ison international waters may be controlled based on prior agreement. Forexample, the serving PLMN may be the home PLMN (HPLMN) for a UE 105 orthe last serving visited PLMN (VPLMN) for a UE 105. Based on the prioragreement, the UE 105 may detect its location in an internationalvirtual cell 362 and would register with the appropriate PLMN. Inanother implementation, a satellite sNB 112 might make the determinationof which PLMN to register with if the UE 105 provides its last servingVLMN ID and/or HPLMN ID.

The support for access, mobility management and regulatory services forsatellite access in 5G, as described herein, may minimize SGCN impact bypresenting UE 105 access as being provided from fixed cells and fixedTAs similar to existing access for terrestrial NR and terrestrial LTE,may confine mobility aspects of satellite access for a UE 105 caused bymovement of a non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite to the NG-RAN 110, andmay support regulatory requirements (e.g. emergency services, lawfulintercept (LI) and wireless emergency alerts (WEA)) in the same manneras for terrestrial NR access from the perspective of a SGCN and externalclients.

PLMN operators may divide a coverage area (e.g. for an entire country, aregion or multiple countries) into fixed virtual cells with well-definedgeographic boundaries just as for normal cellular operation, e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The cells are virtual and do notcorrespond to actual RF coverage from any satellites or to existingcells for terrestrial NR access. The virtual cells may be defined withreference to an array of grid points, as shown in FIG. 3 for arectangular array defining square or rectangular cells and in FIG. 4 fora hexagonal array (with alternately staggered rows and columns) defininghexagonal cells. A serving virtual cell for any UE may then be definedby the virtual cell associated with the grid point that is closest tothe current UE location.

Virtual cells may be grouped into virtual TAs which may include onlyvirtual cells or may be assigned to existing terrestrial TAs in areaswhere these are defined. A benefit of virtual TAs may be that paging ofa UE in a Connection Management (CM) IDLE state may be restricted toeither sNBs 112 and satellites 115 only or terrestrial gNBs 210 onlywhen the current TA for a UE 105 is either a virtual TA or an existingterrestrial TA, respectively. A benefit of existing terrestrial TAs isthat a UE in CM IDLE state may camp on either a 5G satellite 115 or aterrestrial gNB 210, and may move from one to other, without needing toreregister with the SGCN 240. Thus, it may be advantageous if bothalternatives can be supported by PLMN operators.

Grid point locations (e.g. latitude/longitude) may be broadcast bysatellites 115 (e.g. using a System Information Block (SIB) or aSatellite System Information Block (SSIB)) together with theirassociated virtual cell IDs, tracking area IDs (TAIs) and PLMN IDs(e.g., Mobile Country Code (MCC) plus Mobile Network Code (MNC)). Theinformation may be compressed when inter-grid point spacing andorientation remains fixed and when virtual cell IDs and TAIs (in thecase of virtual TAs) change in simple predictable ways (e.g., where cellIDs change by fixed increments between adjacent grid points).

A UE 105 may periodically obtain its location and determine a servingvirtual cell by association with the closest grid point. Due to thenecessity for good satellite signal reception, UEs may normally beoutdoors and able to use accurate GNSS based location—though cansupplement this using inertial sensors and RAT dependent locationincluding from NR, LTE and future (to be developed) 5G satellitepositioning. When a UE 105 is close to an international border, the UE105 may first determine the country (e.g. if additional information isbroadcast by a satellite defining the locations of an internationalborder) and then determine the closest grid point in the same country.This two step process can be reduced to one step if extra grid pointsare assigned to each virtual cell on one or both sides of a border asillustrated previously for FIGS. 3 and 4 (e.g. grid points on eitherside of and equidistant from a border at say 100-500 meter intervals).In this case, the closest grid point to a UE 105 will generally be inthe same country as the UE 105. The grid points and associated virtualcells and virtual TAs can be extended to cover international areas,e.g., 360 and 460 in FIGS. 3 and 4 , such as oceans and polar regions.The virtual cells and virtual TAs in the international case may beassociated with a nearby country and/or with the home country of any UE105 (e.g. using special mobile country code (MCC) and mobile networkcode (MNC) code pairs to signify the home PLMN of any UE 105).

Virtual cells and virtual TAs can also be associated with several PLMNsjust as for real, i.e., terrestrial, 5G radio cells and TAs, to permitsharing of one sNB 112 by multiple PLMNs. Because different PLMNs mayprefer to use different cell IDs and TA IDs (TAIs), sharing of multiplePLMNs may follow one of three alternative options. In an Option 1, acommon set of virtual cells and virtual TAs (with associated common cellIDs and TAIs) may be shared by all PLNMs with only the PLMN MNCs (andpossibly MCCs) being different. In an Option 2, a common set of virtualcells (defined by grid points) may be shared by all PLMNs but cell IDsand/or TAIs are different for each PLMN. In an Option 3, each PLMN mayhave its own set of virtual cells (defined by distinct sets of gridpoints) and associated own sets of cell IDs and TAIs. UE access andmobility can still be supported as described elsewhere herein, but forOptions 2 and 3, a UE 105 could first select a PLMN prior to determininga current serving cell and TA.

Each satellite 115 (when providing coverage to a supported PLMN area)may have radio access to a single ground station 113 for one sNB 112 orto several ground stations 113 for one or more sNBs 112, directly orusing Inter Satellite Links (ISL). This association can be fixed forgeostationary (GEO) satellites 115 and dynamic for non-geostationary(NGSO) satellites 115 with sNBs 112 interacting to manage the transferof each satellite 115 between ground stations 113 and sNBs 112. Eachsatellite 115 may broadcast (e.g. in an SSIB) its currently associatedsNB 112 identity or identities, the locations of ground stations 113 forthe sNB(s) 112 which are accessible from the satellite 115, and a listof the virtual TAs 320 and corresponding PLMNs which are currently incoverage 350 from the satellite 115. To avoid providing sensitive groundstation location data, a ground station location 113 may be definedapproximately via a virtual cell ID. For any satellite 115, a PLMNoperator may choose to indicate coverage of virtual TAs which are whollyor mostly included in the current satellite 115 radio footprint andexclude virtual TAs which are not included or mostly not included (e.g.as shown by the example for TAs TA1, and TA2 (included in coverage 350)and TA3 (excluded from coverage 350) in FIG. 3 ). For an NGSO satellite115, this information may change as the satellite 115 moves and may berecalculated periodically by an sNB 112 based on satellite orbital datawhich may be preconfigured in the sNB 112.

A UE 105 accessing the NG-RAN 110 via 5G satellite coverage for thefirst time may find or select an available satellite 115 (or anavailable radio cell for a satellite 115), and may receive databroadcast by the satellite 115 (e.g. in a radio cell) providinginformation for virtual cells, virtual TAs, sNBs 112 and PLMNs. The UE105 may also determine its location (e.g. using GNSS) and may thendetermine its current serving virtual cell, virtual TA and a preferredPLMN and may select an sNB 112 for the selected PLMN with the closestaccessible ground station 113 to the UE 105 location (since minimaldistance to a ground station may also increase the period of coverage bythe selected satellite). The UE 105 then performs registration with theselected PLMN via the selected sNB 112. Information for the virtualcells and their TAs may only need to be received once, which mayrestrict latency impacts to just the first access.

While the UE 105 remains in a CM CONNECTED state, the UE 105 may performintra-sNB 112 handovers between satellites 115 under the control of theserving sNB 112, which can be transparent to the SGCN 240. This mayoperate in a similar manner to terrestrial cellular handover for NG-RAN.The UE 105 may provide periodic measurements of visible satellites 115and possibly different radio beams (also referred to as beams) for eachsatellite 115 to the serving sNB 112. Measurements for terrestrial gNBs210 may also be provided to the serving sNB 112. The serving sNB 112then determines a new satellite 115 or a new satellite 115 beam for theUE 105 based on handover related objectives for the new satellite 115 ornew satellite 115 beam. The handover related objectives may include: (i)improved signal reception at the UE 105 compared to a previous satellite115 or previous satellite 115 beam; (ii) for a new NGSO satellite 115,favorable coverage for the current UE 105 location at current and latertimes, based on known satellite 115 orbital data, as the satellite 115(or satellite 115 beam) coverage footprint moves across the current UElocation; and (iii) an ability to access a new satellite 115 from aground station 113 for the serving sNB 112 (as well as from the UE 105).

For a geostationary (GEO) satellite 115, only the first handover relatedobjective may need to be evaluated. For an NGSO satellite 115, allhandover related objectives may need to be evaluated since failure tosupport any one of them could lead to effective loss of UE 105 coverage.As an example, a UE 105 in a valley or next to a hill or large buildingmight fail to receive coverage from a satellite 115 which only satisfiedhandover related objectives (ii) and (iii). The handover support can beextended by including UE 105 measurements for terrestrial gNBs 210 andby supporting handover between an sNB 112 and terrestrial gNB 210.

When the UE 105 goes into a CM IDLE state, the UE 105 may camp on anysatellite 115 (and any satellite 115 beam or radio cell) which has goodsignal reception at the UE 105, if the satellite 115 indicates coveragefor the current virtual TA for the UE 105 (or at least one virtual TA inthe current set of allowed virtual TAs for the UE 105). The UE 105 maybe allowed to camp on any new satellite 115 or any new satellite 115beam or radio cell due to movement of the UE 105 or satellite 115without network interaction as long as the new satellite 115 (or newsatellite 115 beam or radio cell) indicates coverage for the currentvirtual TA for UE 105 (or at least one virtual TA in the current set ofallowed virtual TAs for UE 105). The UE 105 periodically determines itscurrent virtual cell as described above. A UE 105 may perform a newregistration when moving into a new virtual TA. In order to page a UE105 in CM IDLE state, the serving AMF 215 may send a paging request toall sNBs 112 supporting the current virtual TA for UE 105. Each of thesesNBs 112 may then broadcast the paging request via all satellites 115with coverage of this virtual TA. As an option, a PLMN could allow a UE105 to assume being in the same virtual TA even when the UE 105physically moves out of the virtual TA without needing to re-registerwith the PLMN—except when a periodic registration time expires. Withthis option, the PLMN can still page the UE 105 using a previous virtualTA as long as the UE 105 remains camped on a satellite 115 with coveragefor this previous virtual TA. However, to support WEA and movement intocoverage of a different PLMN or different country, a UE 105 may stillneed to periodically determine its current virtual cell.

When the UE enters a virtual TA for a new PLMN, the UE 105 may registerwith the new PLMN and may disconnect from (e.g. deregister from) an oldPLMN. The UE 105 may also change from one satellite beam or radio cellto another if there is a requirement that any satellite beam or radiocell is only used within one country.

SNBs 112 may track an NGSO satellite 115 movement and change of virtualcell and virtual TA coverage and update a list of sNB 112 IDs, groundstation 113 locations, virtual TA IDs and PLMN IDs broadcast by thesatellite 115.

To support UEs which do not have an accurate location capability and toreduce initial NG-RAN access delay for a UE with accurate positioningcapability, a serving sNB 112 may position a UE 105 and determine acurrent virtual cell and virtual TA for the UE 105. With thisarrangement, a UE 105 may select a satellite 115 with good signalreception which provides access to a preferred PLMN, and establishes asignaling connection with an sNB 112 associated with this PLMN andaccessible from this satellite 115. The sNB 112 then positions the UE105 (e.g. using measurements of timing advance to the current satellite115 and/or other satellites 115 and measurements of received signalpower and/or AOA at the UE 105 and/or at the sNB 112). The positioningonly needs to determine a current TA for the UE 105 initially, althoughcellular accuracy may be useful or necessary later for some regulatoryservices. The sNB 112 then returns the TA to the UE 105, allowing the UE105 to perform an initial or new registration. While the UE 105 remainsin a CM CONNECTED state, the sNB 112 can control UE handover to newsatellites 115 as described above. When the UE 105 enters CM IDLE state,the UE 105 can assume that it remains within the current virtual TA evenif that is not the case, since the current virtual TA can be mainly usedto determine when to reregister and to page the UE 105, both of whichcan continue to work even when the UE 105 leaves the current virtual TA.When the UE 105 again establishes a signaling connection with an sNB 112(e.g. to reregister), the sNB 112 can again position the UE 105 andassign a new virtual TA. However, in order to support WEA and determineif a UE 105 has moved into a new PLMN area or new country, a UE 105without positioning capability may need to establish an association(e.g. signaling connection) with an sNB 112 periodically in order tohave the sNB 112 determine the current UE 105 location and associatedvirtual cell ID and virtual TA. However, such interaction could bereduced for UEs 105 that are well within a country and PLMN serving areaand may only need to be frequent for UEs 105 close to the border of aPLMN or country.

The solution as described above can support UE 105 mobility in the samemanner as for terrestrial NR cellular access from the perspective of aSGCN 240, which should minimize new SGCN 240 impacts. In addition, thesolution can support regulatory services the same as for NG-RANterrestrial cellular access.

For example, for an emergency services call, a UE 105 may include acurrent virtual serving cell ID in a SIP INVITE request sent to an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) in a serving PLMN. The IMS can use thevirtual serving cell ID to route the emergency services call to a localPSAP and as an initial approximate UE location. A PLMN operator canarrange for virtual cell areas to be small enough to be normallycontained within the serving area of one PSAP—thereby defining therouting.

For lawful interception (LI), a 5GCN 240 can include a virtual cell IDas part of the LI data collected for a UE 105 which may enable an LIclient to treat data collected for 5G satellite access the same as datacollected for NR or LTE terrestrial access. Triggers can also be set upfor LI based on UE change of virtual serving cell ID or entry into orexit from an area of interest composed of a number of virtual cells. Forexample, the NGAP Location Reporting Control procedure in 3GPP TechnicalSpecification (TS) 23.502 can be used between a serving AMF 215 andserving sNB 112 to collect LI related location data for a UE 105.

For WEA, a 5GCN 240 can assign WEA messages that are received from aGovernment or other authority to one or more virtual cells in the sameway as WEA messages are assigned to real radio cells for NR and LTEterrestrial access. The WEA messages can then be broadcast in a SIB orSSIB in association with the assigned virtual cells. Three options forbroadcast would be possible. In a first option, a SIB or SSIB isbroadcast by a satellite 115 for each virtual cell in each virtual TAwithin the current coverage area of the satellite 115. This virtual cellassociated SIB contains one or more WEA messages that have been assignedto that virtual cell. In a second option, a single SIB or SSIBbroadcasts all WEA messages for all virtual cells within the currentcoverage area of a satellite 115. Each WEA message includes the specificvirtual cell IDs for which it is applicable. In a third option, all WEAmessages are broadcast one time only in a common SIB (or SSIB) with areference ID for each WEA message. For each virtual cell, there is aseparate broadcast (e.g. SSIB) containing the WEA reference IDsapplicable to that virtual cell. The first option is analogous tocurrent WEA support for real, terrestrial, cells but may be inefficient.The second option may be more efficient but may increase UE 105 impacts.The third option may be in between the first and second options.

FIG. 5 shows a signaling flow 500 that illustrates various messages sentbetween components of the communication network 200 depicted in FIG. 2 .FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for a satellite RAN 110 to operate with a5GCN 240 and supporting regulatory services required for a wirelessnetwork, such as EM calls, LI, and WEA.

At stage 1 a in FIG. 5 , one or more sNBs 112 obtain data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or bothassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs). Thedata, for example, may define one or more of: (i) locations of gridpoints in an array of grid points; (ii) virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; (iii) tracking area identifiersassociated with the virtual tracking areas, virtual cell identifiers orthe grid points; and (iv) PLMN identifiers associated with the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers,e.g., as discussed above. The data may be obtained, e.g., fromconfiguration data in the sNBs 112 or from an operations and maintenance(O&M) server. The data may be compressed as discussed above.

At stage 1 b, the one or more sNBs 112 may obtain data (e.g. from an O&Mserver) for satellites 115 that are accessible from the sNBs 112. Forexample, data may include identifiers for the one or more sNBs 112,locations of ground stations 113 for the one or more sNBs 112, whereinthe ground stations 113 are in wireless coverage of the satellites 115,and a list of virtual tracking areas and corresponding PLMNs that are inthe wireless coverage of the satellites 115, where the PLMNs areaccessible from one or more sNBs 112. If a satellite 115 is not ingeosynchronous (also referred to as geostationary) orbit, the one ormore sNBs 112 may continue to track movement and change of virtual celland virtual tracking area coverage of the satellite 115 and update theinformation for the satellite 115 to correctly align with a new wirelesscoverage area of the satellites 115.

At stage 2, the one or more sNBs 112 send and the UE 105 receives thebroadcast data from one or more space vehicles 115, as obtained by thesNBs 112 at stages 1 a and 1 b.

At stage 3, the UE 105 performs a positioning procedure, e.g., byobtaining signal measurements of positioning space vehicles 190,terrestrial base stations, satellites 115 or a combination thereof, andobtains a location estimate (also referred to as a location or position)for the UE 105.

At stage 4, the UE 105 determines a virtual cell and/or a virtual TA inwhich the UE 105 is located using the data received in stage 2 and theposition of the UE 105 determined at stage 3. For example, as discussedabove, the UE 105 may determine a grid point closest to its location anddetermine that it is in a virtual cell or a virtual TA associated withthat grid point. The UE 105 may need to determine first the country inwhich the UE 105 is located, e.g., using additional grid points asdiscussed above. The UE 105 may determine a PLMN associated with thevirtual cell and/or virtual TA in which the UE 105 is located. Stages 3and 4 may be periodically repeated by the UE 105 to determine if thevirtual cell in which the UE 105 is located has changed or if the UE 105has entered or exited a virtual TA, and to determine a PLMN associatedwith the current virtual cell and/or current virtual TA.

At stage 5, the UE 105 obtains a serving sNB 112 that is accessible fromthe satellite 115 with which the UE 105 is communicating. For example,the UE 105 may obtain the serving sNB 112 by determining the serving sNB112 as the sNB with a ground station 113 that is closest to the positionof the UE, e.g., using the information received at stage 2.

At stage 6, the UE 105 sends a registration request through spacevehicle 115 and serving sNB 112 to the AMF 215 of the serving PLMN thatis associated with the serving virtual cell and/or virtual TA in whichthe UE 105 is located.

At stage 7, the AMF 215 sends a registration accept message to the UE105 through sNB 112 and space vehicle 115. Stages 5-7 may be repeated toregister with a different PLMN, e.g., if the UE 105 moves to a newvirtual cell, new virtual TA or new country that is associated with adifferent PLMN, or to provide monitoring or tracking information for theUE 105 to the PLMN.

At stage 8, the UE 105 may receive and display broadcast WEA messagesassociated with a current virtual cell for UE 105. For example, the sNB112 and space vehicle 115 may broadcast a WEA message associated withthe virtual cell in which the UE 105 is located. Alternatively, the sNB112 and space vehicle 115 may broadcast a list of applicable WEA messageIDs for each of one or more virtual cell IDs, e.g., in the data of stage2, and may also provide the WEA messages separately, and the UE 105 maydisplay the appropriate WEA message(s) based on the virtual cell ID ofthe virtual cell in which it is located.

At stage 9, the UE 105 may make an emergency call to a PSAP associatedwith a virtual cell in which the UE 105 is located. For example, the UE105 may include the identifier of the virtual cell in which it islocated, i.e., the serving virtual cell, in a SIP INVITE message that issent to the serving PLMN through the space vehicle 115 and sNB 112. Theserving SGCN (e.g. an IMS in the serving SGCN, though illustrated withAMF 215 and LMF 220 in FIG. 5 ) may then route the EM call to the PSAPassociated with the serving virtual cell based on the identifierprovided.

At stage 10, the AMF 215 may provide UE related information, includingthe identifier of a virtual cell in which the UE 105 is located, to lawenforcement associated with the virtual cell. If the UE 105 moves into anew virtual cell or new virtual TA and reports the movement to theserving PLMN, the AMF 215 may provide the updated UE information to theenforcement associated with the new virtual cell or new virtual TA.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example procedure 600 for supportingsatellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE) performed by the UE,such as the UE 105 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 .

As illustrated, at block 602, broadcast data from a first satellite(e.g. an SV 115) is received, the broadcast data containing informationfor virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverageof the first satellite and associated with one or more public landmobile networks (PLMNs), wherein virtual cells or virtual tracking areasor both are defined as fixed geographic areas, e.g., as illustrated atstage 2 of FIG. 5 and in FIGS. 3 and 4 . At block 604, a position of theUE is obtained, e.g., as illustrated at stage 3 of FIG. 5 . At block606, a serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated is determined based on the position of the UE and theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both,e.g., as illustrated at stage 4 of FIG. 5 . At block 608, a servingsatellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN) (e.g. an sNB 112)accessible from the first satellite is determined, e.g., as illustratedat stage 5 of FIG. 5 . At block 610, registration is performed with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with the servingvirtual cell or tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite and the serving SRN, e.g., as illustrated at stage 6 of FIG. 5.

In some implementations, the information for the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both comprises at least one of: (i) locationsof grid points in an array of grid points; (ii) virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; (iii) tracking area identifiersassociated with the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiersor the grid points; or (iv) PLMN identifiers associated with the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers,e.g., as discussed in reference to stages 1 a and 2 of FIG. 5 . Theinformation for the virtual cells and the virtual tracking areas or bothmay be compressed when inter-grid point spacing and orientation arefixed.

In some implementations, determining the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located may include determining a gridpoint that is closest to the position of the UE, wherein the servingvirtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located is avirtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with a grid point thatis closest to the position of the UE, e.g., as discussed in reference tostage 4 of FIG. 5 and for FIGS. 3 and 4 . Determining the servingvirtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE is located mayfurther include determining a country in which the UE is located; anddetermining a grid point that is in the country in which the UE islocated and that is closest to the position of the UE, wherein theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated is a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with agrid point that is closest to the position of the UE and that is in thecountry in which the UE is located.

In some implementations, the array of grid points may include additionalgrid points assigned to virtual cells on each side of an internationalborder so that a closest grid point to any location is in a same countryas that location, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areasor both extend to cover international areas, wherein the virtual cellsor the tracking areas or both in international areas are associated withPLMNs of a proximate country or a home country of the UE, e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, obtaining the position of the UE may compriseobtaining signal measurements from one or more of communicationsatellites, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites (e.g.SVs 190), or terrestrial base stations or a combination thereof, e.g.,as discussed in reference to stage 3 of FIG. 5 .

In some implementations, the UE may further receives information for thefirst satellite, the information for the first satellite comprisingidentifiers for one or more SRNs (e.g. sNBs 112), locations of groundstations for the one or more SRNs, wherein the ground stations are inwireless coverage of the first satellite, and a list of virtual trackingareas and corresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of thefirst satellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the one or moreSRNs, e.g., as illustrated at stages 1 b and 2 of FIG. 5 , and mayobtain the serving SRN by determining the serving SRN as an SRN from theone or more SRNs with a ground station that is closest to the positionof the UE, e.g., as illustrated at stage 5 of FIG. 5 . Where the firstsatellite is not in geostationary orbit, updates may be received for theinformation for the first satellite to correctly align with a newwireless coverage area of the first satellite.

In some implementations, the UE may provide periodic measurements ofvisible satellites (e.g. SVs 115) to the serving SRN; receiveinstructions from the serving SRN for handover from the first satelliteto a second satellite (e.g. another SV 115); and perform the handoverfrom the first satellite to the second satellite.

In some implementations, the UE may enter an idle state; and camp on asecond satellite (e.g. an SV 115) for which the UE has signal receptionand that indicates coverage of the virtual tracking area in which the UEis located. The UE may receive a paging request from an entity in theserving core network via the second satellite.

In some implementations, the UE obtains the position of the UE anddetermines the virtual tracking area in which the UE is located byselecting the first satellite, wherein the first satellite providessignal reception and access to a preferred PLMN; establishing asignaling connection with an SRN (e.g. an sNB 112) associated with thepreferred PLMN and that is accessible from the first satellite, whereinthe SRN determines the position of the UE using measurements receivedfrom the UE and the first satellite; and receiving the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located from the SRN.

In some implementations, the UE may further initiate an emergency (EM)call to a public safety answering point (PSAP) associated with theserving virtual cell including obtaining an emergency session throughthe first satellite via a first entity in the serving core network inthe serving PLMN; performing an emergency registration with a secondentity in the serving PLMN; and sending an emergency call to the secondentity in the serving PLMN, wherein the emergency call includes anidentifier for the serving virtual cell, wherein the second entityroutes the emergency call to the PSAP associated with the identifier forthe serving virtual cell, e.g., as illustrated at stage 9 of FIG. 5 .The first entity may be an Access and Mobility Management Function (e.g.an AMF 215), and the second entity may be a IP Multimedia Subsystem(IMS) in the serving PLMN.

In some implementations, Lawful Interception (LI) associated with theserving virtual cell is supported by an entity in the serving corenetwork in the serving PLMN by providing information for the UEincluding a location of the serving virtual cell to a law enforcementagency, e.g., as illustrated at stage 10 of FIG. 5 . The informationprovided for the UE, including the location of the serving virtual cell,to the law enforcement agency may be periodical or triggered based onthe UE being in or entering the serving virtual cell.

In some implementations, the UE may further support Wireless EmergencyAlerting (WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell comprisingreceiving from the first satellite and displaying to a user of the UE aWEA message associated with the serving virtual cell, e.g., asillustrated at stage 8 of FIG. 5 . In some implementations, the UE mayreceive a broadcast from the first satellite for each of one morevirtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the first satellite,wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtual cell containsone or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell. In someimplementations, the UE may receive a broadcast from the first satellitethat contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the first satellite, each WEA message including one ormore virtual cell identifiers for which it is applicable. In someimplementations, the UE may receive a first broadcast from the firstsatellite that contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within awireless coverage area of the first satellite, each WEA messageincluding an associated reference identifier; and receive a secondbroadcast from the first satellite that contains one or more referenceidentifiers associated with the serving virtual cell.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example procedure 700 for supportingsatellite wireless access by a user equipment (e.g. a UE 105) performedby a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node, such as the sNB 112 inFIGS. 1, 2, and 5 .

As illustrated, at block 702, first broadcast data is obtained, thefirst broadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both and associated with one or more public landmobile networks (PLMNs), wherein virtual cells or virtual tracking areasor both are defined as fixed geographic areas, e.g., as illustrated atstage 1 a of FIG. 5 and in FIGS. 3 and 4 . At block 704, secondbroadcast data is obtained, the second broadcast data containinginformation for a first satellite (e.g. an SV 115), wherein the firstsatellite is accessible from at least one ground station for thesatellite RAN node and from the UE, e.g., as illustrated at stage 1 b ofFIG. 5 . At block 706, the first broadcast data and the second broadcastdata are transmitted to the UE periodically via the first satellite,e.g., as illustrated at stage 2 of FIG. 5 . At block 708, a registrationrequest is received from the UE to a serving core network (e.g. a 5GCN240) in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or avirtual tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite, e.g., as illustrated at stage 6 of FIG. 5 . At block 710, theregistration request is provided to a first entity in the serving corenetwork, e.g., as illustrated at stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

In some implementations, the first broadcast data and the secondbroadcast data are obtained from configuration data or from operationand management (e.g. O&M).

In some implementations, the information for the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both comprises at least one of: (i) locationsof grid points in an array of grid points; (ii) virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; (iii) tracking area identifiersassociated with the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiersor the grid points; or (iv) PLMN identifiers associated with the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers,e.g., as discussed in reference to stages 1 a and 2 of FIG. 5 . Theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothmay be compressed when inter-grid point spacing and orientation arefixed.

In some implementations, the array of grid points may include additionalgrid points assigned to virtual cells on each side of an internationalborder so that a closest grid point to any location is in a same countryas that location, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areasor both may extend to cover international areas, wherein the virtualcells or the virtual tracking areas or both in international areas areassociated with PLMNs of a proximate country or a home country of theUE, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, the information for the first satellitecomprises an identifier for the satellite RAN node, locations of groundstations for the satellite RAN node, wherein the ground stations are inwireless coverage of the first satellite, and a list of virtual trackingareas and corresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of thefirst satellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the satellite RANnode, e.g., as illustrated at stages 1 b and 2 of FIG. 5 . Additionally,each virtual tracking area in the list of virtual tracking areas may bewholly or mostly included in a current coverage area of the firstsatellite.

In some implementations, where the first satellite is not ingeostationary orbit, the satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node mayfurther track movement and change of virtual cell or virtual trackingarea coverage or both of the first satellite and update the informationfor the first satellite to correctly align with a new wireless coveragearea of the first satellite, e.g., as illustrated at stage 1 b of FIG. 5.

In some implementations, periodic measurements of visible satellites(e.g. SVs 115) from the UE may be received via the first satellite inwireless communication with the UE. A second satellite (e.g. another SV115) for the wireless communication with the UE may be determined basedon one or more of improved signal reception at the UE, coverage for acurrent location of the UE at current and later times based on satelliteorbital data for the second satellite if the second satellite is innon-geostationary orbit, an ability to access the second satellite froma ground station associated with the satellite RAN node, or acombination thereof. The satellite RAN node may then provide to the UE,via the first satellite, handover instructions for UE handover from thefirst satellite to the second satellite.

In some implementations, a paging request and a virtual tracking areaidentifier or a virtual cell identifier for the UE, in which the UE islast known to be located when the UE is in an idle state, may bereceived from a second entity in the serving core network. The pagingrequest to the UE may be broadcast via all satellites with wirelesscoverage of the virtual tracking area or virtual cell identifier.

In some implementations, signal measurements for one or more satellitesmay be received from the UE. A position of the UE may be estimated usingthe signal measurements. A virtual tracking area of the UE may bedetermined based on the position of the UE. An identifier for thevirtual tracking area may be provided to the UE.

In some implementations, an emergency (EM) call from the UE may befacilitated through the first satellite to a public safety answeringpoint (PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell or the virtualtracking area in which the UE is located, e.g., as illustrated stage 9of FIG. 5 .

In some implementations, Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associatedwith the serving virtual cell may be supported, including broadcastingvia the first satellite a WEA message associated with the servingvirtual cell, e.g., as illustrated stage 8 of FIG. 5 . In oneimplementation, a broadcast may be sent from the first satellite foreach of one or more virtual cells within a wireless coverage area of thefirst satellite, wherein the broadcast associated with the servingvirtual cell contains one or more WEA messages assigned to the servingvirtual cell. In one implementation, a broadcast may be sent from thefirst satellite that contains all WEA messages for virtual cells withina wireless coverage area of the first satellite, each WEA messageincluding one or more virtual cell identifiers for which it isapplicable. In one implementation, a first broadcast may be sent fromthe first satellite that contains all WEA messages for virtual cellswithin a wireless coverage area of the first satellite, each WEA messageincluding an associated reference identifier; and a second broadcast maybe sent from the first satellite that contains one or more referenceidentifiers associated with the serving virtual cell.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example procedure 800 for supportingsatellite wireless access by a user equipment (e.g. a UE 105) performedby a satellite, e.g., SV 115 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , that is inwireless communication with a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node(SRN), such as sNB 112.

As illustrated, at block 802, first broadcast data is received from theSRN, the first broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsor virtual tracking areas or both associated with one or more publicland mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein virtual cells or virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas, e.g., asillustrated at stage 2 of FIG. 5 . At block 804, second broadcast datais received from the SRN, the second broadcast data containinginformation for the satellite, e.g., as illustrated at stage 2 of FIG. 5. At block 806, the first broadcast data and the second broadcast dataare transmitted periodically to the UE, e.g., as illustrated at stage 2of FIG. 5 . At block 808, a registration request is received from the UEto a serving core network (e.g. a SGCN 240) in a serving PLMN associatedwith a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking area in which the UEis located, e.g., as illustrated at stage 6, of FIG. 5 . At block 810,the registration request is provided to the SRN to be sent to theserving core network, e.g., as illustrated at stage 6, of FIG. 5 .

In some implementations, the information for the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both comprises at least one of: (i) locationsof grid points in an array of grid points; (ii) virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; (iii) tracking area identifiersassociated with the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiersor the grid points; and (iv) PLMN identifiers associated with the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers,e.g., as discussed in reference to stages 1 a and 2 of FIG. 5 . Theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothmay be compressed when inter-grid point spacing and orientation arefixed.

In some implementations, the array of grid points may include additionalgrid points assigned to virtual cells on each side of an internationalborder so that a closest grid point to any location is in a same countryas that location, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areasor both extend to cover international areas, wherein the virtual cellsor the virtual tracking areas or both in international areas areassociated with PLMNs of a proximate country or a home country of theUE, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

In some implementations, the information for the satellite comprisesidentifiers for one or more SRNs (e.g. sNBs 112), locations of groundstations for the one or more SRNs, wherein the ground stations are inwireless coverage of the satellite, and a list of virtual tracking areasand corresponding PLMNs that are in wireless coverage of the satellite,wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the one or more SRNs, e.g., asillustrated at stages 1 b and 2 of FIG. 5 . Each virtual tracking areain the list of virtual tracking areas may be wholly or mostly includedin a current wireless coverage area of the satellite. In someimplementations, where the satellite is not in geo stationary orbit, thesatellite updates the information for the satellite to correctly alignwith a new wireless coverage area of the satellite.

In some implementations, periodic measurements of visible satellites(e.g. SVs 115) from the UE may be provided to the SRN. Instructions fromthe SRN may be provided to the UE for handover from the satellite to asecond satellite (e.g. another SV 115). The handover from the satelliteto the second satellite may be performed.

In some implementations, a paging request is received for the UE whenthe UE is in an idle state from the SRN and has a last known locationthat is in a virtual tracking area or a virtual cell that is in awireless coverage of the satellite, and the paging request is broadcastto the UE.

In some implementations, signal measurements of one or more satellites(e.g. SVs 115) are provided to the SRN from the UE, and a virtualtracking area is provided to the UE determined by the SRN based on aposition of the UE determined using the signaling measurements.

In some implementations, an emergency (EM) call from the UE isfacilitated through the SRN to a public safety answering point (PSAP)associated with the serving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located, e.g., as illustrated at stage 9 of FIG. 5 .

In some implementations, the satellite supports Wireless EmergencyAlerting (WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell comprisingbroadcasting a WEA message associated with the serving virtual cell,e.g., as illustrated at stage 8 of FIG. 5 . In one implementation, thesatellite sends a broadcast for each of one or more virtual cells withina wireless coverage area of the satellite, wherein the broadcastassociated with the serving virtual cell contains one or more WEAmessages assigned to the serving virtual cell. In one implementation,the satellite sends a broadcast that contains all WEA messages forvirtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the satellite, each WEAmessage including one or more virtual cell identifiers for which it isapplicable. In one implementation, the satellite sends a first broadcastthat contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the satellite, each WEA message including an associatedreference identifier; and sends a second broadcast that contains one ormore reference identifiers associated with the serving virtual cell.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementationof UE 900, such as UE 105 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 . The UE 900 mayperform the process flow 600 of FIG. 6 . The UE 900 may include, e.g.,hardware components such as a satellite transceiver 903 to wirelesslycommunicate with a satellite 115 and an associated sNB 112 in an NG-RAN110, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The UE 900 may further includewireless transceiver 902 to wirelessly communicate with terrestrial basestations in an NG-RAN 110, e.g., base stations such as gNB 210 or ng-eNB(shown in FIG. 2 ). The UE 900 may also include additional transceivers,such a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 906, as well as anSPS receiver 908 for receiving and measuring signals from SPS SVs 190(shown in FIG. 1 ). The UE 900 may further include one or more sensors910, such as cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, electronic compass,magnetometer, barometer, etc. The UE 900 may further include a userinterface 912 that may include e.g., a display, a keypad or other inputdevice, such as virtual keypad on the display, through which a user mayinterface with the UE 900. The UE 900 further includes one or moreprocessors 904 and memory 920, which may be coupled together with bus916. The one or more processors 904 and other components of the UE 900may similarly be coupled together with bus 916, a separate bus, or maybe directly connected together or coupled using a combination of theforegoing. The memory 920 may contain executable code or softwareinstructions that when executed by the one or more processors 904 causethe one or more processors to operate as a special purpose computerprogrammed to perform the methods and procedures disclosed herein (e.g.such as the process flow 600 shown in FIG. 6 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the memory 920 may include one or morecomponents or modules that may be implemented by the one or moreprocessors 904 to perform the methodologies described herein. While thecomponents or modules are illustrated as software in memory 920 that isexecutable by the one or more processors 904, it should be understoodthat the components or modules may be firmware or dedicated hardwareeither in the one or more processors 904 or off the processors.

As illustrated, the memory 920 may include satellite data module 922that that when implemented by the one or more processors 904 configuresthe one or more processors 904 to receive broadcast data from a firstsatellite, the broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsand virtual tracking areas in wireless coverage of the first satelliteand associated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs),wherein virtual cells and virtual tracking areas are defined as fixedgeographic areas, e.g., as discussed at stage 2 of FIG. 5 . Thesatellite data module 922 may further configure the one or moreprocessors 904 to receive satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node(SRN) identifiers for one or more SRNs accessible from the firstsatellite, locations of ground stations for the one or more SRNs thatare accessible from the first satellite, and a list of virtual trackingareas and corresponding PLMNs that are in coverage of the firstsatellite. The satellite data module 922 may further configure the oneor more processors 904 to receive updates for information from satellitethat are not in geosynchronous orbit. The satellite data module 922 mayfurther configure the one or more processors 904 to received broadcastsof WEA messages.

The memory 920 may include a position module 924 that when implementedby the one or more processors 904 configures the one or more processors904 to obtain a position of the UE, e.g., using signal measurements fromone or more of communication satellites, e.g., received by satellitetransceiver 903, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellitesreceived by SPS transceiver 908, or terrestrial base stations receivedby wireless transceiver 902 or a combination thereof. The positionmodule 924 may configure the one or more processors 904 to select asatellite with signal reception and access to a preferred PLMN,establishing a signaling connection with an SRN associated with thepreferred PLMN and that is accessible from the satellite, wherein theSRN determines the position of the UE using measurements received fromthe UE and the first satellite; and receive the virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located from the SRN.

The memory 920 may include a virtual cell and tracking area module 926that when implemented by the one or more processors 904 configures theone or more processors 904 to determine a serving virtual cell orvirtual tracking area in which the UE is located based on the positionof the UE and the information for the virtual cells and the virtualtracking areas, e.g., as discussed at stage 4 of FIG. 5 . The one ormore processors 904 may be configured to determine grid points that areclosest to the position of the UE, wherein the serving virtual cell orvirtual tracking area in which the UE is located is a virtual cell orvirtual tracking area associated with the grid point that is closest tothe position of the UE or to determine a country in which the UE islocated and determine the grid point that is in the country in which theUE is located and that is closest to the position of the UE to determinethe associated serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area.

The memory 920 may include a serving SRN module 928 that whenimplemented by the one or more processors 904 configures the one or moreprocessors 904 to determine a serving satellite Radio Access Network(RAN) node (SRN) accessible from a satellite, e.g., as discussed atstage 5 of FIG. 5 . The one or more processors 904 may be furtherconfigured to select a satellite with signal reception and access to apreferred PLMN, and to establish a signaling connection with an SRNassociated with the preferred PLMN; and a receive the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located from the SRN.

The memory 920 may include a registration module 930 that whenimplemented by the one or more processors 904 configures the one or moreprocessors 904 to perform a registration with a serving core network ina serving PLMN associated with the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located via the first satellite and theserving SRN, e.g., as discussed at stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 920 may include an SV handover module 932 that whenimplemented by the one or more processors 904 configures the one or moreprocessors 904 to perform a handover from one satellite to another. Forexample, the SV handover module 932 may configured the one or moreprocessors 904 to provide periodic measurements of visible satellites tothe serving SRN, and in response to receive instructions from theserving SRN for handover from one satellite to another, and in responseto perform the handover from one satellite to another.

The memory 920 may include an idle mode module 934 that when implementedby the one or more processors 904 configures the one or more processors904 to enter an idle mode and to camp on a satellite for which the UEhas signal reception and that indicates coverage of the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located. Additionally, the one or moreprocessors 904 may be configured to receive a paging request from anentity in the serving core network via the satellite.

The memory 920 may include an EM call module 936 that when implementedby the one or more processors 904 configures the one or more processors904 to initiate an emergency call to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell, e.g., includingobtaining an emergency session through a satellite via a first entity inthe serving core network in the serving PLMN, perform an emergencyregistration with a second entity in the serving PLMN, and send anemergency call to the second entity in the serving PLMN, wherein theemergency call includes an identifier for the serving virtual cell,wherein the second entity routes the emergency call to the PSAPassociated with the identifier for the serving virtual cell.

The memory 920 may include a WEA module 938 that when implemented by theone or more processors 904 configures the one or more processors 904 tosupport Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associated with the servingvirtual cell including receiving from the first satellite and displayingto a user of the UE a WEA message associated with the serving virtualcell. For example, the one or more processors 904 may be configured toreceive broadcast from the first satellite for each virtual cell in eachvirtual tracking area within a coverage area of the first satellite,wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtual cell containsone or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell. Inanother example, the one or more processors 904 may be configured toreceive a broadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEAmessages for virtual tracking areas within a coverage area of the firstsatellite, each WEA message including a virtual cell identifier forwhich it is applicable. In another example, the one or more processors904 may be configured to receive a first broadcast from the firstsatellite that contains all WEA messages for virtual tracking areaswithin a coverage area of the first satellite, each WEA messageincluding an associated reference identifier; and receive a secondbroadcast from the first satellite that contains the referenceidentifier associated with the serving virtual cell.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon the application. For example, these methodologies may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.For a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 904 may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For an implementation of UE 900 involving firmware and/or software, themethodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures,functions, and so on) that perform the separate functions describedherein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions maybe used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example,software codes may be stored in a memory (e.g. memory 920) and executedby one or more processors 904, causing the one or more processors 904 tooperate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform thetechniques disclosed herein. Memory may be implemented within the one orprocessors 904 or external to the one or more processors 904. As usedherein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term,volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to anyparticular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media uponwhich memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions performed byUE 900 may be stored as one or more instructions or code on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as memory 920.Examples of storage media include computer-readable media encoded with adata structure and computer-readable media encoded with a computerprogram. Computer-readable media includes physical computer storagemedia. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessedby a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, orother storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

In addition to storage on computer-readable storage medium, instructionsand/or data for UE 900 may be provided as signals on transmission mediaincluded in a communication apparatus. For example, a communicationapparatus comprising part or all of UE 900 may include a transceiverhaving signals indicative of instructions and data. The instructions anddata are stored on non-transitory computer readable media, e.g., memory920, and are configured to cause the one or more processors 904 tooperate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform thetechniques disclosed herein. That is, the communication apparatusincludes transmission media with signals indicative of information toperform disclosed functions. At a first time, the transmission mediaincluded in the communication apparatus may include a first portion ofthe information to perform the disclosed functions, while at a secondtime the transmission media included in the communication apparatus mayinclude a second portion of the information to perform the disclosedfunctions.

Thus, a user equipment (UE) that support satellite wireless may includea means for receiving a broadcast data from a first satellite, thebroadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both in wireless coverage of the first satellite andassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinvirtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both are defined as fixedgeographic areas, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 903 andone or more processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 920, such as thesatellite data module 922. A means for obtaining a position of the UEmay be, e.g., one or more of the SPS transceiver 908, wirelesstransceiver 902, WLAN transceiver 906, or sensors 910 and one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the position module 924.A means for obtaining a serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located based on the position of the UE and theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothmay be, e.g., the one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in memory 920,such as the virtual cell and tracking area module 926. A means fordetermining a serving satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN)accessible from the first satellite may be, e.g., the one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the serving SRN module928. A means for performing a registration with a serving core networkin a serving PLMN associated with the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located via the first satellite and theserving SRN may be, e.g., satellite transceiver 903 and the one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the registration module930.

In some implementations, the information for the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both comprises at least one of locations ofgrid points in an array of grid points; virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; tracking area identifiers associatedwith the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers, or thegrid points, and PLMN identifiers associated with the grid points, thecell identifiers or the virtual tracking area identifiers and the meansfor determining the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located may include a means for determining a grid pointthat is closest to the position of the UE, wherein the serving virtualcell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located is a virtualcell or virtual tracking area associated with a grid point that isclosest to the position of the UE, which may be the one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the virtual cell andtracking area module 926. For example, the means for determining theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated may include a means for determining a country in which the UE islocated which may be, e.g., the one or more processors 904 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 920, such as the virtual cell and tracking areamodule 926, and a means for determining a grid point that is in thecountry in which the UE is located and that is closest to the positionof the UE, wherein the serving virtual cell or the virtual tracking areain which the UE is located is a the virtual cell or virtual trackingarea associated with a grid point that is closest to the position of theUE and that is in the country in which the UE is located, which may be,e.g., the one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in memory 920,such as the virtual cell and tracking area module 926.

In some implementations, the means for obtaining the position of the UEcomprises means for obtaining signal measurements from one or more ofcommunication satellites, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)satellites, or terrestrial base stations or a combination thereof, whichmay be, e.g., one or more of the SPS transceiver 908, wirelesstransceiver 902, WLAN transceiver 906, or sensors 910 and one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the position module 924

In some implementations, the UE may further include a means forreceiving information for the first satellite, the information for thefirst satellite comprising identifiers for one or more SRNs, locationsof ground stations for the one or more SRNs, wherein the ground stationsare in wireless coverage of the first satellite, and a list of virtualtracking areas and corresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverageof the first satellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the one ormore SRNs, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 903 and one ormore processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 920, such as the satellite datamodule 922. The UE may further include a means for obtaining the servingSRN by determining the serving SRN as an SRN from the one or more SRNswith a ground station that is closest to the position of the UE, whichmay be, e.g., the one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in memory 920,such as the serving SRN module 928. For example, the first satellite maynot be in geostationary orbit, and the UE may include a means forreceiving updates for the information for the first satellite tocorrectly align with a new wireless coverage area of the firstsatellite, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 903 and one ormore processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 920, such as the satellite datamodule 922. The UE may include a means for providing periodicmeasurements of visible satellites to the serving SRN, means forreceiving instructions from the serving SRN for handover from the firstsatellite to a second satellite; and means for performing the handoverfrom the first satellite to the second satellite, which may be, e.g.,the satellite transceiver 903 and one or more processors 904 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 920, such as the SV handover module 932.

The UE may include a means for entering an idle state; and camping on asecond satellite for which the UE has signal reception and thatindicates coverage of the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 903 and one ormore processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 920, such as the idle modemodule 934. The UE may further include a means for receiving a pagingrequest from an entity in the serving core network via the secondsatellite, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 903 and one ormore processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 920, such as the idle modemodule 934.

In some implementations, the means for obtaining the position of the UEand means for determining the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated may include a means for selecting the first satellite, whereinthe first satellite provides signal reception and access to a preferredPLMN; a means for establishing a signaling connection with an SRNassociated with the preferred PLMN and that is accessible from the firstsatellite, wherein the SRN determines the position of the UE usingmeasurements received from the UE and the first satellite; and a meansfor receiving the virtual tracking area in which the UE is located fromthe SRN, which may be, e.g., the SPS transceiver 908 and one or moreprocessors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 920, such as the SRN module 928.

The UE may include a means for initiating an emergency (EM) call to apublic safety answering point (PSAP) associated with the serving virtualcell that include a means for obtaining an emergency session through thefirst satellite via a first entity in the serving core network in theserving PLMN; a means for performing an emergency registration with asecond entity in the serving PLMN; and a means for sending an emergencycall to the second entity in the serving PLMN, wherein the emergencycall includes an identifier for the serving virtual cell, wherein thesecond entity routes the emergency call to the PSAP associated with theidentifier for the serving virtual cell, which may be, e.g., the SPStransceiver 908 and one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 920,such as the EM call module 936.

The UE may include a means for supporting Wireless Emergency Alerting(WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell that include a means forreceiving from the first satellite and displaying to a user of the UE aWEA message associated with the serving virtual cell, which may be,e.g., the SPS transceiver 908 and one or more processors 904 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 920, such as the WEA module 938. For example, theUE may include a means for receiving a broadcast from the firstsatellite for each of one or more virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the first satellite, wherein the broadcast associatedwith the serving virtual cell contains one or more WEA messages assignedto the serving virtual cell, which may be, e.g., the SPS transceiver 908and one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 920, such as thesatellite data module 922 and the WEA module 938. The UE may include ameans for receiving a broadcast from the first satellite that containsall WEA messages for virtual cells within a wireless coverage area ofthe first satellite, each WEA message including one or more virtual cellidentifiers for which it is applicable, which may be, e.g., the SPStransceiver 908 and one or more processors 904 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 920,such as the satellite data module 922 and the WEA module 938. The UE mayinclude a means for receiving a first broadcast from the first satellitethat contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the first satellite, each WEA message including anassociated reference identifier; and means for receiving a secondbroadcast from the first satellite that contains one or more referenceidentifiers associated with the serving virtual cell, which may be,e.g., the SPS transceiver 908 and one or more processors 904 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 920, such as the satellite data module 922 andthe WEA module 938.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation of a satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN)1000, such as the sNB 112 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 . The SRN1000 may perform the process flow 700 of FIG. 7 . The SRN 1000 includes,e.g., hardware components such as a satellite transceiver 1002, e.g.,ground station 113, capable of communicating with one or more satellites115 and one or more UEs 105. The SRN 1000 may further include anexternal interface 1006, which may comprise one or more wired and/orwireless interfaces capable of connecting to and communicating one ormore entities in a core network in a PLMN, such as AMF 215 or UPF 228 inSGCN 240 shown in FIG. 2 , as well as other sNBs, and to other elementsin a wireless network directly or through one or more intermediarynetworks and/or one or more network entities, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The external interface 1006 may include one or more antennas (notshown in FIG. 10 ) to support a wireless interface and/or a wirelessbackhaul to elements in the wireless network. The SRN 1000 includes oneor more processors 1004 and memory 1010, which may be coupled togetherwith a bus 1007. The memory 1010 may contain executable code or softwareinstructions that when executed by the one or more processors 1004 causethe one or more processors 1004 to operate as a special purpose computerprogrammed to perform the techniques disclosed herein (e.g. such as theprocess flow 700 shown in FIG. 7 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the memory 1010 may include one or morecomponents or modules that may be implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1004 to perform the methodologies as described herein. Whilethe components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 1010that is executable by the one or more processors 1004, it should beunderstood that the components or modules may be firmware or dedicatedhardware either in the one or more processors 1004 or off theprocessors.

As illustrated, the memory 1010 may include a first broadcast dataobtain module 1012 that when implemented by the one or more processors1004 configures the one or more processors 1004 to obtain broadcast datacontaining information for virtual cells and virtual tracking areasassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinvirtual cells and virtual tracking areas are defined as fixed geographicareas, e.g., as illustrated in stage 1 of FIG. 5 . For example, thefirst broadcast data may be obtained from configuration data or fromoperation and management.

The memory 1010 may include a second broadcast data obtain module 1014that when implemented by the one or more processors 1004 configures theone or more processors 1004 to obtain broadcast data information for afirst satellite, wherein the first satellite is accessible from thesatellite RAN node and from the UE, e.g., as illustrated in stage 1 ofFIG. 5 . For example, the first broadcast data may be obtained fromconfiguration data or from operation and management.

The memory 1010 may include a broadcast data transmit module 1016 thatwhen implemented by the one or more processors 1004 configures the oneor more processors 1004 to transmit via the satellite transceiver 1002the first broadcast data and the second broadcast data to the UEperiodically via the first satellite, e.g., as illustrated in stage 2 ofFIG. 5 .

The memory 1010 may include a registration receive module 1018 that whenimplemented by the one or more processors 1004 configures the one ormore processors 1004 to receive via the satellite transceiver 1002 aregistration request from the UE to a serving core network in a servingPLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking areain which the UE is located via the first satellite, e.g., as illustratedin stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 1010 may include a registration transmit module 1020 thatwhen implemented by the one or more processors 1004 configures the oneor more processors 1004 to transmit via the external interface 1006 theregistration request to a first entity in the serving core network,e.g., as illustrated in stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 1010 may include a handover module 1022 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1004 configures the one or more processors1004 to receive periodic measurements of visible satellites from the UEand determine a different satellite for the wireless communication withthe UE based on one or more of improved signal reception at the UE,coverage for a current location of the UE at current and later timesbased on satellite orbital data for the second satellite if the secondsatellite is in non-geosynchronous orbit, an ability to access thesecond satellite from a ground station associated with the satellite RANnode, or a combination thereof. The one or more processors 1004 may beconfigured to provide the UE with handover instructions from onesatellite to a different satellite.

The memory 1010 may include a paging module 1024 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1004 configures the one or more processors1004 to receive a paging request and a virtual tracking area for the UEin which the UE is last known to be located when the UE is in an idlestate from an entity in the serving core network, such as the AMF or LMFand to broadcast the paging request to the UE via all satellites withwireless coverage of the virtual tracking area, via the satellitetransceiver 1002.

The memory 1010 may include a tracking module 1026 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1004 configures the one or more processors1004 to receive from the UE signal measurements for one or moresatellites, estimate a position of the UE using the signal measurements;and determine a virtual tracking area of the UE based on the position ofthe UE; and to provide the virtual tracking area to the UE, e.g. via thesatellite transceiver 1002.

The memory 1010 may include an EM module 1028 that when implemented bythe one or more processors 1004 configures the one or more processors1004 to facilitate an emergency (EM) call from the UE through the firstsatellite to a public safety answering point (PSAP) associated with theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated, e.g., via the satellite transceiver 1002 and the externalinterface 1006.

The memory 1010 may include an WEA module 1030 that when implemented bythe one or more processors 1004 configures the one or more processors1004 to support Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associated with theserving virtual cell, including broadcasting via the first satellite aWEA message associated with the serving virtual cell, e.g., thesatellite transceiver 1002. For example, the one or more processors 1004may be configured to send, via the satellite transceiver 1002, abroadcast from the first satellite for each virtual cell in each virtualtracking area within a wireless coverage area of the first satellite,wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtual cell containsone or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell. The oneor more processors 1004 may be configured to send, via the satellitetransceiver 1002, a broadcast from the first satellite that contains allWEA messages for virtual tracking areas within a wireless coverage areaof the first satellite, each WEA message including a virtual cellidentifier for which it is applicable. The one or more processors 1004may be configured to send, via the satellite transceiver 1002, a firstbroadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEA messages forvirtual tracking areas within a wireless coverage area of the firstsatellite, each WEA message including an associated referenceidentifier; and to send a second broadcast from the first satellite thatcontains a reference identifier associated with the serving virtualcell.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon the application. For example, these methodologies may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.For a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 1004 may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For an implementation of SRN 1000 involving firmware and/or software,the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures,functions, and so on) that perform the separate functions describedherein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions maybe used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example,software codes may be stored in a memory (e.g. memory 1010) and executedby one or more processors 1004, causing the one or more processors 1004to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform thetechniques disclosed herein. Memory may be implemented within the one orprocessors 1004 or external to the one or more processors 1004. As usedherein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term,volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to anyparticular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media uponwhich memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions performed bySRN 1000 may be stored as one or more instructions or code on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as memory 1010.Examples of storage media include computer-readable media encoded with adata structure and computer-readable media encoded with a computerprogram. Computer-readable media includes physical computer storagemedia. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessedby a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, orother storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

In addition to storage on computer-readable storage medium, instructionsand/or data for SRN 1000 may be provided as signals on transmissionmedia included in a communication apparatus. For example, acommunication apparatus comprising part or all of SRN 1000 may include atransceiver having signals indicative of instructions and data. Theinstructions and data are stored on non-transitory computer readablemedia, e.g., memory 1010, and are configured to cause the one or moreprocessors 1004 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed toperform the techniques disclosed herein. That is, the communicationapparatus includes transmission media with signals indicative ofinformation to perform disclosed functions. At a first time, thetransmission media included in the communication apparatus may include afirst portion of the information to perform the disclosed functions,while at a second time the transmission media included in thecommunication apparatus may include a second portion of the informationto perform the disclosed functions.

Thus, the satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include, e.g.,means for obtaining first broadcast data, the first broadcast datacontaining information for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas orboth associated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs),wherein virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both are defined asfixed geographic areas, which may be, e.g., which may be, e.g., the oneor more processors 1004 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 1010, such as thefirst broadcast data obtain module 1012 using configuration data oroperation and management. A means for obtaining second broadcast data,the second broadcast data containing information for a first satellite,wherein the first satellite is accessible from the satellite RAN nodeand from the UE may be, e.g., the one or more processors 1004 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1010, such as the second broadcast data obtainmodule 1014 using configuration data or operation and management. Ameans for transmitting the first broadcast data and the second broadcastdata to the UE periodically via the first satellite may be, e.g., thesatellite transceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1010, such as the broadcast data transmit module1016. A means for receiving a registration request from the UE to aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtualcell or a virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 1002 and one or moreprocessors 1004 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 1010, such as the registrationreceive module 1018. A means for providing the registration request to afirst entity in the serving core network may be, e.g., the externalinterface 1006 and one or more processors 1004 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1010,such as the registration transmit module 1020.

In some implementations, the information for the first satellite may bean identifier for the satellite RAN node, locations of ground stationsfor the satellite RAN node, wherein the ground stations are in wirelesscoverage of the first satellite, and a list of virtual tracking areasand corresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of the firstsatellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the satellite RAN node.Where the first satellite is not in geostationary orbit, the satelliteRadio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means for virtual trackingmovement and change of virtual cell or virtual tracking area coverage orboth of the first satellite and updating the information for the firstsatellite to correctly align with a new wireless coverage area of thefirst satellite, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 1002 andone or more processors 1004 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 1010, such as thetracking module 1026 and broadcast data transmit module 1016.

The satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forreceiving via the first satellite in wireless communication with the UEperiodic measurements of visible satellites from the UE and means fordetermining a second satellite for the wireless communication with theUE based on one or more of improved signal reception at the UE, coveragefor a current location of the UE at current and later times based onsatellite orbital data for the second satellite if the second satelliteis in non-geostationary orbit, an ability to access the second satellitefrom a ground station associated with the satellite RAN node, or acombination thereof; and means for providing to the UE, via the firstsatellite, handover instructions for UE handover from the firstsatellite to the second satellite, which may be, e.g., the satellitetransceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1010,such as the handover module 1022.

The satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forreceiving a paging request and a virtual tracking area identifier or avirtual cell identifier for the UE in which the UE is last known to belocated when the UE is in an idle state from a second entity in theserving core network and a means for broadcasting the paging request tothe UE via all satellites with wireless coverage of the virtual trackingarea or virtual cell identifier, which may be, e.g., the satellitetransceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1010,such as the paging module 1024 and broadcast data transmit module 1016.

The satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forreceiving from the UE signal measurements for one or more satellites, ameans for estimating a position of the UE using the signal measurements;a means for determining a virtual tracking area of the UE based on theposition of the UE; and a means for providing an identifier for thevirtual tracking area to the UE, which may be, e.g., the satellitetransceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1010,such as the tracking module 1026 and broadcast data transmit module1016.

The satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forfacilitating an emergency (EM) call from the UE through the firstsatellite to a public safety answering point (PSAP) associated with theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 1002 and one ormore processors 1004 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 1010, such as the EM module1028.

The satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forsupporting Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associated with the servingvirtual cell comprising broadcasting via the first satellite a WEAmessage associated with the serving virtual cell, which may be, e.g.,the satellite transceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1010, such as the WEA module 1030. For example,the satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forsending a broadcast from the first satellite for each of one or morevirtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the first satellite,wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtual cell containsone or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell, which maybe, e.g., the satellite transceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1010, such as the WEA module 1030. For example,the satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forsending a broadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEAmessages for virtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the firstsatellite, each WEA message including one or more virtual cellidentifiers for which it is applicable, which may be, e.g., thesatellite transceiver 1002 and one or more processors 1004 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1010, such as the WEA module 1030. For example,the satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node may include a means forsending a first broadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEAmessages for virtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the firstsatellite, each WEA message including an associated referenceidentifier; and sending a second broadcast from the first satellite thatcontains one or more reference identifiers associated with the servingvirtual cell, which may be, e.g., the satellite transceiver 1002 and oneor more processors 1004 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 1010, such as the WEAmodule 1030.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation of a satellite, e.g., satellite 115 shown in FIGS. 1, 2,and 5 , that is configured to be in wireless communication with asatellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN), e.g., sNB 112, tosupport satellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE), e.g., UE105. The satellite 1100 may perform the process flow 800 of FIG. 8 . Thesatellite 1100 includes, e.g., hardware components such as a wirelesstransceiver 1102 capable of communicating with UEs 105, as well as SRNs112. The satellite 1100 includes one or more processors 1104 and memory1110, which may be coupled together with a bus 1106. The memory 1110 maycontain executable code or software instructions that when executed bythe one or more processors 1104 cause the one or more processors 1104 tooperate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform thetechniques disclosed herein (e.g. such as the process flow 800 shown inFIG. 8 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the memory 1110 may include one or morecomponents or modules that may be implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1104 to perform the methodologies as described herein. Whilethe components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 1110that is executable by the one or more processors 1104, it should beunderstood that the components or modules may be firmware or dedicatedhardware either in the one or more processors 1104 or off theprocessors.

As illustrated, the memory 1110 may include a broadcast data receivemodule 1112 that when implemented by the one or more processors 1104configures the one or more processors 1104 to receive via the wirelesstransceiver 1102 first broadcast data from an SRN, the first broadcastdata containing information for virtual cells and virtual tracking areasassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinvirtual cells and virtual tracking areas are defined as fixed geographicareas, e.g., as illustrated in stage 2 of FIG. 5 . Additionally, the oneor more processors 1104 may be configured to receive second broadcastdata from the SRN, the second broadcast data containing information forthe satellite, e.g., as illustrated in stage 2 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 1110 may include a broadcast data transmit module 1114 thatwhen implemented by the one or more processors 1104 configures the oneor more processors 1104 to transmit periodically via the wirelesstransceiver 1102 the first broadcast data and the second broadcast datato the UE, e.g., as illustrated in stage 2 of FIG. 5 . The one or moreprocessors 1104 may be configured to update information for a satelliteto correctly align with a new wireless coverage area of the satellitevia the wireless transceiver 1102.

The memory 1110 may include a registration receive module 1116 that whenimplemented by the one or more processors 1104 configures the one ormore processors 1104 to receive via the wireless transceiver 1102 aregistration request from the UE to a serving core network in a servingPLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or a virtual tracking areain which the UE is located, e.g., as illustrated in stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 1110 may include a registration transmit module 1118 thatwhen implemented by the one or more processors 1104 configures the oneor more processors 1104 to transmit via the wireless transceiver 1102the registration request to the SRN to be sent to the serving corenetwork, e.g., as illustrated in stage 6 of FIG. 5 .

The memory 1110 may include a handover module 1120 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1104 configures the one or more processors1104, e.g., via wireless transceiver 1102, to provide periodicmeasurements of visible satellites from the UE to the SRN, and toprovide instructions from the SRN to the UE for handover from a secondsatellite, and to perform the handover from to the second satellite.

The memory 1110 may include a paging module 1122 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1104 configures the one or more processors1104, e.g., via wireless transceiver 1102, to receive a paging requestfor the UE when the UE is in an idle state from the SRN and has a lastknown location that is in a virtual tracking area that is in a wirelesscoverage of the satellite and to broadcasting the paging request to theUE.

The memory 1110 may include a tracking module 1124 that when implementedby the one or more processors 1104 configures the one or more processors1104, e.g., via wireless transceiver 1102, to provide signalmeasurements of one or more satellites to the SRN from the UE, andprovide a virtual tracking area to the UE determined by the SRN based ona position of the UE determined using the signaling measurements.

The memory 1110 may include a EM module 1126 that when implemented bythe one or more processors 1104 configures the one or more processors1104, e.g., via wireless transceiver 1102, to facilitate an emergency(EM) call from the UE through the SRN to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell or the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located.

The memory 1110 may include a WEA module 1128 that when implemented bythe one or more processors 1104 configures the one or more processors1104, e.g., via wireless transceiver 1102, to support Wireless EmergencyAlerting (WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell includingbroadcasting a WEA message associated with the serving virtual cell. Forexample, the one or more processors 1104 may be configured to send abroadcast for each virtual cell in each virtual tracking area within awireless coverage area of the satellite, wherein the broadcastassociated with the serving virtual cell contains one or more WEAmessages assigned to the serving virtual cell. The one or moreprocessors 1104 may be configured to send a broadcast that contains allWEA messages for virtual tracking areas within a wireless coverage areaof the satellite, each WEA message including a virtual cell identifierfor which it is applicable. The one or more processors 1104 may beconfigured to send a first broadcast that contains all WEA messages forvirtual tracking areas within a wireless coverage area of the satellite,each WEA message including an associated reference identifier; and tosend a second broadcast that contains a reference identifier associatedwith the serving virtual cell.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon the application. For example, these methodologies may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.For a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 1104 may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For an implementation of satellite 1100 involving firmware and/orsoftware, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g.,procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the separate functionsdescribed herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodyinginstructions may be used in implementing the methodologies describedherein. For example, software codes may be stored in a memory (e.g.memory 1110) and executed by one or more processors 1104, causing theone or more processors 1104 to operate as a special purpose computerprogrammed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. Memory may beimplemented within the one or processors 1104 or external to the one ormore processors 1104. As used herein the term “memory” refers to anytype of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memoryand is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number ofmemories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions performed bysatellite 1100 may be stored as one or more instructions or code on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as memory 1110.Examples of storage media include computer-readable media encoded with adata structure and computer-readable media encoded with a computerprogram. Computer-readable media includes physical computer storagemedia. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessedby a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, orother storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

In addition to storage on computer-readable storage medium, instructionsand/or data for satellite 1100 may be provided as signals ontransmission media included in a communication apparatus. For example, acommunication apparatus comprising part or all of satellite 1100 mayinclude a transceiver having signals indicative of instructions anddata. The instructions and data are stored on non-transitory computerreadable media, e.g., memory 1110, and are configured to cause the oneor more processors 1104 to operate as a special purpose computerprogrammed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. That is, thecommunication apparatus includes transmission media with signalsindicative of information to perform disclosed functions. At a firsttime, the transmission media included in the communication apparatus mayinclude a first portion of the information to perform the disclosedfunctions, while at a second time the transmission media included in thecommunication apparatus may include a second portion of the informationto perform the disclosed functions.

Thus, a satellite that is in wireless communication with a satelliteRadio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN) may include a means for receivingfirst broadcast data from the SRN, the first broadcast data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or bothassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinvirtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both are defined as fixedgeographic areas, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 andone or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 1110, such as thebroadcast data receive module 1112. A means for receive second broadcastdata from the SRN, the second broadcast data containing information forthe satellite may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 and one ormore processors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in memory 1110, such as the broadcast datareceive module 1112. A means for transmitting the first broadcast dataand the second broadcast data to the UE periodically may be, e.g., thewireless transceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmemory 1110, such as the broadcast data transmit module 1114. A meansfor receiving a registration request from the UE to a serving corenetwork in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or avirtual tracking area in which the UE is located may be, e.g., thewireless transceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmemory 1110, such as the registration receive module 1116. A means forproviding the registration request to the SRN to be sent to the servingcore network may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 and one or moreprocessors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 1110, such as the registrationtransmit module 1118.

In one implementation, the information for the satellite may includeidentifiers for one or more SRNs, locations of ground stations for theone or more SRNs, wherein the ground stations are in wireless coverageof the satellite, and a list of virtual tracking areas and correspondingPLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of the satellite, wherein thePLMNs are accessible from the one or more SRNs. The satellite is not ingeostationary orbit, and may include means for updating the informationfor the satellite to correctly align with a new wireless coverage areaof the satellite, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 andone or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in memory 1110, such as thebroadcast data transmit module 1114.

The satellite may include a means for providing periodic measurements ofvisible satellites from the UE to the SRN, a means for providinginstructions from the SRN to the UE for handover from the satellite to asecond satellite; and means for performing the handover from thesatellite to the second satellite, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1110,such as the handover module 1120.

The satellite may include a means for receiving a paging request for theUE when the UE is in an idle state from the SRN and has a last knownlocation that is in a virtual tracking area or a virtual cell that is ina wireless coverage of the satellite; and means for broadcasting thepaging request to the UE, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1110,such as the paging module 1122.

The satellite may include a means for providing signal measurements ofone or more satellites to the SRN from the UE, and a means for providinga virtual tracking area to the UE determined by the SRN based on aposition of the UE determined using the signaling measurements, whichmay be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 and one or more processors1104 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in memory 1110, such as the tracking module 1124.

The satellite may include a means for facilitating an emergency (EM)call from the UE through the SRN to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell or the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1110,such as the EM module 1126.

The satellite may include a means for supporting Wireless EmergencyAlerting (WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell comprisingbroadcasting a WEA message associated with the serving virtual cell,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 and one or moreprocessors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 1110, such as the WEA module 1128.For example, the satellite may include a means for sending a broadcastfor each of one or more virtual cells within a wireless coverage area ofthe satellite, wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtualcell contains one or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtualcell, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1102 and one or moreprocessors 1104 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in memory 1110, such as the WEA module 1128.The satellite may include a means for sending a broadcast that containsall WEA messages for virtual cells within a wireless coverage area ofthe satellite, each WEA message including one or more virtual cellidentifiers for which it is applicable, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1110,such as the WEA module 1128. The satellite may include a means forsending a first broadcast that contains all WEA messages for virtualcells within a wireless coverage area of the satellite, each WEA messageincluding an associated reference identifier; and sending a secondbroadcast that contains one or more reference identifiers associatedwith the serving virtual cell, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1102 and one or more processors 1104 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1110,such as the WEA module 1128.

Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific desires.For example, customized hardware might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

Configurations may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowdiagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as asequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallelor concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may berearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in thefigure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may be implemented byhardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or codesegments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly or conventionally understood. As usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one(i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By wayof example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.“About” and/or “approximately” as used herein when referring to ameasurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like,encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specifiedvalue, as such variations are appropriate in the context of the systems,devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.“Substantially” as used herein when referring to a measurable value suchas an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such asfrequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%,±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations areappropriate in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods,and other implementations described herein.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of itemsprefaced by “at least one of” or “one or more of” indicates adisjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A,B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B andC), or combinations with more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC,etc.). Also, as used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that afunction or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that thefunction or operation is based on the stated item or condition and maybe based on one or more items and/or conditions in addition to thestated item or condition.

As used herein, a mobile device, user equipment (UE), or mobile station(MS) refers to a device such as a cellular or other wirelesscommunication device, a smartphone, tablet, personal communicationsystem (PCS) device, personal navigation device (PND), PersonalInformation Manager (PIM), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), laptop orother suitable mobile device which is capable of receiving wirelesscommunication and/or navigation signals, such as navigation positioningsignals. The term “mobile station” (or “mobile device”. “wirelessdevice” or “user equipment”) is also intended to include devices whichcommunicate with a personal navigation device (PND), such as byshort-range wireless, infrared, wireline connection, or otherconnection—regardless of whether satellite signal reception, assistancedata reception, and/or position-related processing occurs at the deviceor at the PND. Also, a “mobile station” or “user equipment” is intendedto include all devices, including wireless communication devices,computers, laptops, tablet devices, etc., which are capable ofcommunication with a server, such as via the Internet, WiFi, or othernetwork, and to communicate with one or more types of nodes, regardlessof whether satellite signal reception, assistance data reception, and/orposition-related processing occurs at the device, at a server, or atanother device or node associated with the network. Any operablecombination of the above are also considered a “mobile station” or “userequipment.” A mobile device or user equipment (UE) may also be referredto as a mobile terminal, a terminal, a device, a Secure User PlaneLocation Enabled Terminal (SET), a target device, a target, or by someother name.

In an embodiment, a first example independent claim may include a methodfor supporting location of a user equipment (UE) at a first wirelessnode, comprising receiving a first request for broadcast of an increasedquantity of location-related information, the broadcast based on awireless access type for the first wireless node; and broadcasting theincreased quantity of location-related information using the wirelessaccess type and based on the first request.

Example dependent claims may include one or more of the followingfeatures. The wireless access type is Fifth Generation (5G), New Radio(NR) or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The location-related informationcomprises a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). The increased quantityof location-related information comprises an increased PRS bandwidth, anincreased frequency of PRS positioning occasions, an increased durationfor a PRS positioning occasion, an increased number of separate PRSsignals, a transmission of PRS using an uplink carrier frequency, orsome combination thereof. The method may further include sending asecond request for a muting of transmission to a second wireless nodefor the wireless access type, wherein the muting of transmission isbased on avoiding radio interference with the broadcast of the increasedquantity of location-related information by the first wireless node. Thelocation-related information may comprise location assistance data. Thelocation assistance data may comprise assistance data for Observed TimeDifference Of Arrival (OTDOA), assistance data for Assisted GlobalNavigation Satellite System (A-GNSS), assistance data for Real TimeKinematics (RTK), assistance data for Precise Point Positioning (PPP),assistance data for Differential GNSS (DGNSS), or any combinationthereof. The increased quantity of location-related information maycomprise an increased quantity of location assistance data, additionaltypes of location assistance data, an increased frequency ofbroadcasting location assistance data, an increased repetition of thebroadcasting of the location assistance data, or any combinationthereof. The first request may be received from a third wireless node.The first request may be received from the UE. The first request may bereceived using a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol for the wirelessaccess type. The first wireless node may be a serving wireless node forthe UE based on the wireless access type. The method may further includesending a third request for the broadcast of an increased quantity oflocation-related information to a fourth wireless node for the wirelessaccess type, wherein the third request is based on the first request.The method may further include sending a response to the UE, wherein theresponse comprises a confirmation of the broadcasting of the increasedquantity of location-related information by the first wireless node. Themethod may further include receiving a fourth request from the UE for atermination of the broadcast of the increased quantity oflocation-related information, and terminating the broadcasting of theincreased quantity of location-related information using the wirelessaccess type based on the fourth request.

While some of the techniques, processes, and/or implementationspresented herein may comply with all or part of one or more standards,such techniques, processes, and/or implementations may not, in someembodiments, comply with part or all of such one or more standards.

Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. An example method of geofencing for satellite communicationperformed by a UE, the method comprising receiving broadcast data from afirst satellite, the broadcast data containing information for virtualcells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage of thefirst satellite and associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas, wherein theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothcomprises at least one of: locations of grid points in an array of gridpoints, wherein the array of grid points comprises additional gridpoints assigned to virtual cells on each side of an international borderso that a closest grid point to any location is in a same country asthat location; virtual cell identifiers associated with the grid points;tracking area identifiers associated with one or more of the virtualtracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or the grid points; or PLMNidentifiers associated with one or more of the grid points, the virtualcell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers; obtaining a positionof the UE; and performing a registration with a serving core network ina serving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located via the first satellite and aserving satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN).Clause 2. The method of the clause 1, further comprising: determiningthe serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated based on the position of the UE and the information for thevirtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both.Clause 3. The method of any of clause 1 or 2, wherein determining theserving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is locatedcomprises: determining a grid point that is closest to the position ofthe UE, wherein the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area inwhich the UE is located is a virtual cell or virtual tracking areaassociated with a grid point that is closest to the position of the UE.Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein determining theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated further comprises: determining a country in which the UE islocated; and determining a grid point that is in the country in whichthe UE is located and that is closest to the position of the UE, whereinthe serving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated is a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with agrid point that is closest to the position of the UE and that is in thecountry in which the UE is located.Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1-4, further comprising:receiving information for the first satellite, the information for thefirst satellite comprising identifiers for one or more satellite RadioAccess Network (RAN) nodes (SRNs), locations of ground stations for theone or more SRNs, wherein the ground stations are in wireless coverageof the first satellite, and a list of virtual tracking areas andcorresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of the firstsatellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the one or more SRNs;and obtaining a serving SRN by determining the serving SRN as an SRNfrom the one or more SRNs with a ground station that is closest to theposition of the UE.Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1-5, further comprising:providing periodic measurements of visible satellites to the servingSRN; receiving instructions from the serving SRN for handover from thefirst satellite to a second satellite; and performing the handover fromthe first satellite to the second satellite.Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 1-6, further comprising: enteringan idle state; and camping on a second satellite for which the UE hassignal reception and that indicates coverage of the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located.Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1-7, wherein obtaining theposition of the UE and determining the virtual tracking area in whichthe UE is located comprises: selecting the first satellite, wherein thefirst satellite provides signal reception and access to a preferredPLMN; establishing a signaling connection with an SRN associated withthe preferred PLMN and that is accessible from the first satellite,wherein the SRN determines the position of the UE using measurementsreceived from the UE and the first satellite; and receiving the virtualtracking area in which the UE is located from the SRN.Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the serving PLMN isassociated with the serving virtual cell.Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising:initiating an emergency (EM) call to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell comprising: obtaining anemergency session through the first satellite via a first entity in theserving core network in the serving PLMN; performing an emergencyregistration with a second entity in the serving PLMN; and sending anemergency call to the second entity in the serving PLMN, wherein theemergency call includes an identifier for the serving virtual cell,wherein the second entity routes the emergency call to the PSAPassociated with the identifier for the serving virtual cell.Clause 11. The method of any of clauses 1-10, wherein LawfulInterception (LI) associated with the serving virtual cell is supportedby an entity in the serving core network in the serving PLMN byproviding information for the UE including a location of the servingvirtual cell to a law enforcement agency.Clause 12. The method of any of clauses 1-11, further comprising:supporting Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associated with the servingvirtual cell comprising receiving from the first satellite anddisplaying to a user of the UE a WEA message associated with the servingvirtual cell.Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 1-12, further comprising:receiving a broadcast from the first satellite for each of one or morevirtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the first satellite,wherein the broadcast associated with the serving virtual cell containsone or more WEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell.Clause 14. The method of any of clauses 1-13, further comprising:receiving a broadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEAmessages for virtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the firstsatellite, wherein each WEA message includes one or more virtual cellidentifiers for which it is applicable or each WEA message includes anassociated reference identifier; and receiving a second broadcast fromthe first satellite that contains one or more reference identifiersassociated with the serving virtual cell.Clause 15. An user equipment (UE) configured to support satellitewireless access, comprising: a satellite transceiver configured tocommunicate with satellites; at least one memory; and at least oneprocessor coupled to the satellite transceiver and the at least onememory, the at least one processor configured to: receive broadcast datafrom a first satellite, the broadcast data containing information forvirtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage ofthe first satellite and associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas, wherein theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothcomprises at least one of: locations of grid points in an array of gridpoints, wherein the array of grid points comprises additional gridpoints assigned to virtual cells on each side of an international borderso that a closest grid point to any location is in a same country asthat location; virtual cell identifiers associated with the grid points;tracking area identifiers associated with one or more of the virtualtracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or the grid points; or PLMNidentifiers associated with one or more of the grid points, the virtualcell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers; obtain a position ofthe UE; and perform a registration with a serving core network in aserving PLMN associated with a serving virtual cell or virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located via the first satellite and a servingSRN.Clause 16. The UE of the clause 15, wherein the at least one processoris further configured to: determine the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located based on the position of the UEand the information for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areasor both.Clause 17. The UE of any of clause 15 or 16, wherein to determine theserving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated, the at least one processor is further configured to: determinea grid point that is closest to the position of the UE, wherein theserving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is locatedis a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with a grid pointthat is closest to the position of the UE.Clause 18. The UE of any of clauses 15-17, wherein to determine theserving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated, the at least one processor is further configured to: determinea country in which the UE is located; and determine a grid point that isin the country in which the UE is located and that is closest to theposition of the UE, wherein the serving virtual cell or the virtualtracking area in which the UE is located is a virtual cell or virtualtracking area associated with a grid point that is closest to theposition of the UE and that is in the country in which the UE islocated.Clause 19. The UE of any of clauses 15-18, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: receive information for the firstsatellite, the information for the first satellite comprisingidentifiers for one or more satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes(SRNs), locations of ground stations for the one or more SRNs, whereinthe ground stations are in wireless coverage of the first satellite, anda list of virtual tracking areas and corresponding PLMNs that are in thewireless coverage of the first satellite, wherein the PLMNs areaccessible from the one or more SRNs; and obtain a serving SRN bydetermining the serving SRN as an SRN from the one or more SRNs with aground station that is closest to the position of the UE.Clause 20. The UE of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: provide periodic measurements ofvisible satellites to the serving SRN; receive instructions from theserving SRN for handover from the first satellite to a second satellite;and perform the handover from the first satellite to the secondsatellite.Clause 21. The UE of any of clauses 15-20, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: enter an idle state; and camp on asecond satellite for which the UE has signal reception and thatindicates coverage of the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated.Clause 22. The UE of any of clauses 15-21, wherein to obtain theposition of the UE and determining the virtual tracking area in whichthe UE is located, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: select the first satellite, wherein the first satelliteprovides signal reception and access to a preferred PLMN; establish asignaling connection with an SRN associated with the preferred PLMN andthat is accessible from the first satellite, wherein the SRN determinesthe position of the UE using measurements received from the UE and thefirst satellite; and receive the virtual tracking area in which the UEis located from the SRN.Clause 23. The UE of any of clauses 15-22, wherein the serving PLMN isassociated with the serving virtual cell.Clause 24. The UE of any of clauses 15-23, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: initiate an emergency (EM) call to apublic safety answering point (PSAP) associated with the serving virtualcell comprising: obtain an emergency session through the first satellitevia a first entity in the serving core network in the serving PLMN;perform an emergency registration with a second entity in the servingPLMN; and send an emergency call to the second entity in the servingPLMN, wherein the emergency call includes an identifier for the servingvirtual cell, wherein the second entity routes the emergency call to thePSAP associated with the identifier for the serving virtual cell.Clause 25. The UE of any of clauses 15-24, wherein Lawful Interception(LI) associated with the serving virtual cell is supported by an entityin the serving core network in the serving PLMN by providing informationfor the UE including a location of the serving virtual cell to a lawenforcement agency.Clause 26. The UE of any of clauses 15-25, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: support Wireless Emergency Alerting(WEA) associated with the serving virtual cell comprising receiving fromthe first satellite and displaying to a user of the UE a WEA messageassociated with the serving virtual cell.Clause 27. The UE of any of clauses 15-26, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: receive a broadcast from the firstsatellite for each of one or more virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the first satellite, wherein the broadcast associatedwith the serving virtual cell contains one or more WEA messages assignedto the serving virtual cell.Clause 28. The UE of any of clauses 15-27, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: receive a broadcast from the firstsatellite that contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within awireless coverage area of the first satellite, wherein each WEA messageincludes one or more virtual cell identifiers for which it is applicableor each WEA message includes an associated reference identifier; andreceive a second broadcast from the first satellite that contains one ormore reference identifiers associated with the serving virtual cell.Clause 29. An example user equipment (UE) configured to supportsatellite wireless access, comprising: means for receiving broadcastdata from a first satellite, the broadcast data containing informationfor virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverageof the first satellite and associated with one or more public landmobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtualtracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas, whereinthe information for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas orboth comprises at least one of: locations of grid points in an array ofgrid points, wherein the array of grid points comprises additional gridpoints assigned to virtual cells on each side of an international borderso that a closest grid point to any location is in a same country asthat location; virtual cell identifiers associated with the grid points;tracking area identifiers associated with one or more of the virtualtracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or the grid points; or PLMNidentifiers associated with one or more of the grid points, the virtualcell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers; means for obtaining aposition of the UE; and means for performing a registration with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtualcell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite and a serving SRN.Clause 30. An example non-transitory storage medium including programcode stored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at leastone processor in a user equipment (UE) to support satellite wirelessaccess, comprising: program code to receive broadcast data from a firstsatellite, the broadcast data containing information for virtual cellsor virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage of the firstsatellite and associated with one or more public land mobile networks(PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothare defined as fixed geographic areas, wherein the information for thevirtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both comprises at leastone of: locations of grid points in an array of grid points, wherein thearray of grid points comprises additional grid points assigned tovirtual cells on each side of an international border so that a closestgrid point to any location is in a same country as that location;virtual cell identifiers associated with the grid points; tracking areaidentifiers associated with one or more of the virtual tracking areas,the virtual cell identifiers or the grid points; or PLMN identifiersassociated with one or more of the grid points, the virtual cellidentifiers or the tracking area identifiers; program code to obtain aposition of the UE; and program code to perform a registration with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtualcell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite and a serving SRN.

Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail,this has been done by way of example for purposes of illustration only,and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of theappended claims, which follow. In particular, it is contemplated thatvarious substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications areconsidered to be within the scope of the following claims. The claimspresented are representative of the embodiments and features disclosedherein. Other unclaimed embodiments and features are also contemplated.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for supporting satellite wireless accessby a user equipment (UE) performed by the UE, comprising: receivingbroadcast data from a first satellite, the broadcast data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both inwireless coverage of the first satellite and associated with one or morepublic land mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas,wherein the information for the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both comprises at least one of: locations of grid points in anarray of grid points, wherein the array of grid points comprisesadditional grid points assigned to virtual cells on each side of aninternational border so that a closest grid point to any location is ina same country as that location; virtual cell identifiers associatedwith the grid points; tracking area identifiers associated with one ormore of the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or thegrid points; or PLMN identifiers associated with one or more of the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers;obtaining a position of the UE; and performing a registration with aserving core network in a serving PLMN associated with a serving virtualcell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via the firstsatellite and a serving satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node (SRN).2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the servingvirtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located basedon the position of the UE and the information for the virtual cells orthe virtual tracking areas or both.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereindetermining the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in whichthe UE is located comprises: determining a grid point that is closest tothe position of the UE, wherein the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located is a virtual cell or virtualtracking area associated with a grid point that is closest to theposition of the UE.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated further comprises: determining a country in which the UE islocated; and determining a grid point that is in the country in whichthe UE is located and that is closest to the position of the UE, whereinthe serving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated is a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with agrid point that is closest to the position of the UE and that is in thecountry in which the UE is located.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving information for the first satellite, theinformation for the first satellite comprising identifiers for one ormore SRNs, locations of ground stations for the one or more SRNs,wherein the ground stations are in wireless coverage of the firstsatellite, and a list of virtual tracking areas and corresponding PLMNsthat are in the wireless coverage of the first satellite, wherein thePLMNs are accessible from the one or more SRNs; and obtaining a servingSRN by determining the serving SRN as an SRN from the one or more SRNswith a ground station that is closest to the position of the UE.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising: providing periodic measurementsof visible satellites to the serving SRN; receiving instructions fromthe serving SRN for handover from the first satellite to a secondsatellite; and performing the handover from the first satellite to thesecond satellite.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enteringan idle state; and camping on a second satellite for which the UE hassignal reception and that indicates coverage of the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located.
 8. The method of claim 2, whereinobtaining the position of the UE and determining the virtual trackingarea in which the UE is located comprises: selecting the firstsatellite, wherein the first satellite provides signal reception andaccess to a preferred PLMN; establishing a signaling connection with anSRN associated with the preferred PLMN and that is accessible from thefirst satellite, wherein the SRN determines the position of the UE usingmeasurements received from the UE and the first satellite; and receivingthe virtual tracking area in which the UE is located from the SRN. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the serving PLMN is associated with theserving virtual cell.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:initiating an emergency (EM) call to a public safety answering point(PSAP) associated with the serving virtual cell comprising: obtaining anemergency session through the first satellite via a first entity in theserving core network in the serving PLMN; performing an emergencyregistration with a second entity in the serving PLMN; and sending anemergency call to the second entity in the serving PLMN, wherein theemergency call includes an identifier for the serving virtual cell,wherein the second entity routes the emergency call to the PSAPassociated with the identifier for the serving virtual cell.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein Lawful Interception (LI) associated with theserving virtual cell is supported by an entity in the serving corenetwork in the serving PLMN by providing information for the UEincluding a location of the serving virtual cell to a law enforcementagency.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: supportingWireless Emergency Alerting (WEA) associated with the serving virtualcell comprising receiving from the first satellite and displaying to auser of the UE a WEA message associated with the serving virtual cell.13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving a broadcastfrom the first satellite for each of one or more virtual cells within awireless coverage area of the first satellite, wherein the broadcastassociated with the serving virtual cell contains one or more WEAmessages assigned to the serving virtual cell.
 14. The method of claim12, further comprising: receiving a broadcast from the first satellitethat contains all WEA messages for virtual cells within a wirelesscoverage area of the first satellite, wherein each WEA message includesone or more virtual cell identifiers for which it is applicable or eachWEA message includes an associated reference identifier; and receiving asecond broadcast from the first satellite that contains one or morereference identifiers associated with the serving virtual cell.
 15. Auser equipment (UE) configured to support satellite wireless access,comprising: a satellite transceiver configured to communicate withsatellites; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled tothe satellite transceiver and the at least one memory, the at least oneprocessor configured to: receive broadcast data from a first satellite,the broadcast data containing information for virtual cells or virtualtracking areas or both in wireless coverage of the first satellite andassociated with one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), whereinthe virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or both are defined asfixed geographic areas, wherein the information for the virtual cells orthe virtual tracking areas or both comprises at least one of: locationsof grid points in an array of grid points, wherein the array of gridpoints comprises additional grid points assigned to virtual cells oneach side of an international border so that a closest grid point to anylocation is in a same country as that location; virtual cell identifiersassociated with the grid points; tracking area identifiers associatedwith one or more of the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cellidentifiers or the grid points; or PLMN identifiers associated with oneor more of the grid points, the virtual cell identifiers or the trackingarea identifiers; obtain a position of the UE; and perform aregistration with a serving core network in a serving PLMN associatedwith a serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated via the first satellite and a serving satellite Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) node (SRN).
 16. The UE of claim 15, wherein the at leastone processor is further configured to: determine the serving virtualcell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located based on theposition of the UE and the information for the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both.
 17. The UE of claim 16, wherein todetermine the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which theUE is located, the at least one processor is further configured to:determine a grid point that is closest to the position of the UE,wherein the serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which theUE is located is a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated witha grid point that is closest to the position of the UE.
 18. The UE ofclaim 16, wherein to determine the serving virtual cell or virtualtracking area in which the UE is located, the at least one processor isfurther configured to: determine a country in which the UE is located;and determine a grid point that is in the country in which the UE islocated and that is closest to the position of the UE, wherein theserving virtual cell or the virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated is a virtual cell or virtual tracking area associated with agrid point that is closest to the position of the UE and that is in thecountry in which the UE is located.
 19. The UE of claim 15, wherein theat least one processor is further configured to: receive information forthe first satellite, the information for the first satellite comprisingidentifiers for one or more SRNs, locations of ground stations for theone or more SRNs, wherein the ground stations are in wireless coverageof the first satellite, and a list of virtual tracking areas andcorresponding PLMNs that are in the wireless coverage of the firstsatellite, wherein the PLMNs are accessible from the one or more SRNs;and obtain a serving SRN by determining the serving SRN as an SRN fromthe one or more SRNs with a ground station that is closest to theposition of the UE.
 20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: provide periodic measurements ofvisible satellites to the serving SRN; receive instructions from theserving SRN for handover from the first satellite to a second satellite;and perform the handover from the first satellite to the secondsatellite.
 21. The UE of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to: enter an idle state; and camp on a secondsatellite for which the UE has signal reception and that indicatescoverage of the virtual tracking area in which the UE is located. 22.The UE of claim 16, wherein to obtain the position of the UE anddetermining the virtual tracking area in which the UE is located,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: select thefirst satellite, wherein the first satellite provides signal receptionand access to a preferred PLMN; establish a signaling connection with anSRN associated with the preferred PLMN and that is accessible from thefirst satellite, wherein the SRN determines the position of the UE usingmeasurements received from the UE and the first satellite; and receivethe virtual tracking area in which the UE is located from the SRN. 23.The UE of claim 15, wherein the serving PLMN is associated with theserving virtual cell.
 24. The UE of claim 23, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: initiate an emergency (EM) call to apublic safety answering point (PSAP) associated with the serving virtualcell comprising: obtain an emergency session through the first satellitevia a first entity in the serving core network in the serving PLMN;perform an emergency registration with a second entity in the servingPLMN; and send an emergency call to the second entity in the servingPLMN, wherein the emergency call includes an identifier for the servingvirtual cell, wherein the second entity routes the emergency call to thePSAP associated with the identifier for the serving virtual cell. 25.The UE of claim 23, wherein Lawful Interception (LI) associated with theserving virtual cell is supported by an entity in the serving corenetwork in the serving PLMN by providing information for the UEincluding a location of the serving virtual cell to a law enforcementagency.
 26. The UE of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to: support Wireless Emergency Alerting (WEA)associated with the serving virtual cell comprising receiving from thefirst satellite and displaying to a user of the UE a WEA messageassociated with the serving virtual cell.
 27. The UE of claim 26,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive abroadcast from the first satellite for each of one or more virtual cellswithin a wireless coverage area of the first satellite, wherein thebroadcast associated with the serving virtual cell contains one or moreWEA messages assigned to the serving virtual cell.
 28. The UE of claim26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receivea broadcast from the first satellite that contains all WEA messages forvirtual cells within a wireless coverage area of the first satellite,wherein each WEA message includes one or more virtual cell identifiersfor which it is applicable or each WEA message includes an associatedreference identifier; and receive a second broadcast from the firstsatellite that contains one or more reference identifiers associatedwith the serving virtual cell.
 29. A user equipment (UE) configured tosupport satellite wireless access, comprising: means for receivingbroadcast data from a first satellite, the broadcast data containinginformation for virtual cells or virtual tracking areas or both inwireless coverage of the first satellite and associated with one or morepublic land mobile networks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or thevirtual tracking areas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas,wherein the information for the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both comprises at least one of: locations of grid points in anarray of grid points, wherein the array of grid points comprisesadditional grid points assigned to virtual cells on each side of aninternational border so that a closest grid point to any location is ina same country as that location; virtual cell identifiers associatedwith the grid points; tracking area identifiers associated with one ormore of the virtual tracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or thegrid points; or PLMN identifiers associated with one or more of the gridpoints, the virtual cell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers;means for obtaining a position of the UE; and means for performing aregistration with a serving core network in a serving PLMN associatedwith a serving virtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE islocated via the first satellite and a serving satellite Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) node (SRN).
 30. A non-transitory storage medium includingprogram code stored thereon, the program code is operable to configureat least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to support satellitewireless access, comprising: program code to receive broadcast data froma first satellite, the broadcast data containing information for virtualcells or virtual tracking areas or both in wireless coverage of thefirst satellite and associated with one or more public land mobilenetworks (PLMNs), wherein the virtual cells or the virtual trackingareas or both are defined as fixed geographic areas, wherein theinformation for the virtual cells or the virtual tracking areas or bothcomprises at least one of: locations of grid points in an array of gridpoints, wherein the array of grid points comprises additional gridpoints assigned to virtual cells on each side of an international borderso that a closest grid point to any location is in a same country asthat location; virtual cell identifiers associated with the grid points;tracking area identifiers associated with one or more of the virtualtracking areas, the virtual cell identifiers or the grid points; or PLMNidentifiers associated with one or more of the grid points, the virtualcell identifiers or the tracking area identifiers; program code toobtain a position of the UE; and program code to perform a registrationwith a serving core network in a serving PLMN associated with a servingvirtual cell or virtual tracking area in which the UE is located via thefirst satellite and a serving satellite Radio Access Network (RAN) node(SRN).